Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has tipped old rivals Manchester City to storm past Real Madrid in Champions League action.
City are still on course to match United’s historic trophy treble from 1999, in the final weeks of 2022/23, ahead of a semi final showdown with Los Blancos.
Pep Guardiola has famously never won a Champions League title outside of Barcelona with City never winning the competition in their history.
However, their incredible consistency has boosted Guardiola’s confidence of taking the next step up in Europe, despite the experience of defending champions Real Madrid.
Rooney was asked about his view on the semi final and United’s record goal scorer was in no doubt over who he thinks will come out on top.
“Manchester City will not beat Real Madrid, they will destroy them”, as per quotes from The Times.
“You can never write off a collective, with Madrid’s experience and history, but I wouldn’t put money on them. I believe it’s City’s year.”
Rooney also highlighted the battle between Erling Haaland and Antonio Rudiger as the key battleground, as the Norwegian continues to break records, in his debut City campaign.
“How do Madrid stop Haaland? Rüdiger is a great competitor who, as a defender, likes one-on-one battles. But, I don’t think he can handle Haaland.”
AsadNoori
497
Coded message to Guardiola 👌
AsadNoori
454
Tell that clown we are not Manchester United.
Joobdklno
257
Why the English people are more furstrated than Barcelona. Even Barca fans are quite n praying for City. Madrid will win the UCL again this season.
tihdeimsz
225
it's very easy to score goals in premier league cuz teams doesn't have any good defenders. But in laliga you can find quality defenders, goalkeepers. One more thing Madrid is a team of big matches.
Owoade442
151
It’s a lie city will have to do a lot of work to defeat Real Madrid hala Madrid forever
MadridSport
129
Man city will witness greatness on Tuesday
Spartacus_Aye419
99
Manchester City MIGHT Beat Real Madrid and then Win the UCL, but a One-On-One Situation between Rudiger and Haaland is where Rooney got it Wrong. Haaland isn’t a good Dribbler, he doesn’t even make the Move to Dribble, Neither does he attempt to Dribble anyone, so Rudiger Will Edge Him in that Aspect, but COLLECTIVELY, Manchester City will do Wonders if Haaland is given ANY CHANCE. But then, Manchester City’s defenders can’t Handle Vini and Benzema, those two are no match for Dias and Stones. I wish the Best team Luck