da realsbet： The Cityzens are out to match the Red Devils' historic achievement from 1999 over the next fortnight, but which side has the better players?

da pinnacle： Manchester United became the first English team to win the treble of the Premier League title, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999, writing their names forever into football history. But their noisy neighbours, Manchester City, are out to steal their thunder and are now just two matches away from matching that achievement.

City chased down Arsenal to win a third consecutive Premier League title with three games to spare and are odds-on to win the Champions League final against Inter after destroying Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages.

So United's best hope of stopping City's treble will likely be in their own hands when they face their arch rivals in the FA Cup final. Just as United stopped Liverpool from doing the treble in 1977 by beating the Merseysiders at Wembley, they can become treble-busters once more by beating Pep Guardiola's side on Saturday.

But which was the better team, Sir Alex Ferguson's thrilling Class of '99 or Guardiola's all-conquering team of 2023? GOAL picks our combined XI ahead of Saturday's showdown…

GettyGK: Peter Schmeichel

Schmeichel was a gigantic presence and made the goal feel smaller to opponents. He was instrumental to the treble win, making two big saves in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, turning away a Dennis Bergkamp penalty in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal and repeatedly getting United out of jail in their run to the title.

The Dane did not have the ball playing ability of Ederson – although he did score a couple of goals himself over the course of his career – but he gets the nod for his knack for making jaw-dropping saves and being a more intimidating presence than the Brazilian.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Kyle Walker

Walker is one of the best full-backs in the world at running back to sweep away the danger, making him a valuable asset to any attacking-minded team. He faced a period out of the starting XI earlier this year and had to endure some fierce criticism from Pep Guardiola about his abilities, but he has fought his way back into the team at the crucial stage of the season, and in both legs against Real Madrid he had Vinicius Junior in his pocket, while also producing a defensive masterclass in the title showdown with Arsenal.

Walker also remains England's first-choice despite fierce competition. That is the key difference between him and Gary Neville, who had few rivals for his place at right-back for club and country.

Getty ImagesCB: John Stones

Stones has always stood out for his ability on the ball and his skill at playing out from the back is what compelled Guardiola to sign him as soon as he landed in Manchester. The defender has faced difficult spells at City, but he is once more a crucial part of the team and enjoying a new lease of life in his seventh year with the club in the hybrid role of holding midfielder and defender.

He can also play at right-back if needs be while he makes City even better in possession when he steps up into midfield. And he has scored his fair share of stunning goals to boot.

GettyCB: Jaap Stam

The Dutchman was one of three crucial signings in the summer of 1998 and gave United's defence a much-needed physical boost. He was a towering presence, excellent at defending one-v-one and also talented on the ball.

Stam was pivotal to the team's success in 1998-99 and the two subsequent title wins. It is no coincidence that when he was forced out by Ferguson in 2001 and sold to Lazio, United surrendered their crown to Arsenal. Ferguson later admitted that selling Stam was one of the biggest mistakes he made in his 27 years in charge.