Jim Ratcliffe identifies Manchester City match as “the best quality football” he has EVER seen

Manchester United’s Jim Ratcliffe has credited one of Manchester City’s performances during their Treble-winning season as the finest quality football he has ever seen.

Pep Guardiola and his players claimed their first ever UEFA Champions League crown in a sensational, history-making campaign that also saw the club win a third successive Premier League title and the FA Cup ahead of rivals United.

While their overall Treble success had world football talking about a feat only ever matched by Manchester United in 1999, it was their European performances that captured the imagination of all, defeating Real Madrid and Bayern Munich en route to final success over Inter in Turkey.

One man who was watching on in the semi-final stage of Manchester City’s Champions League success was Old Trafford investor Jim Ratcliffe, who has offered the highest praise to Guardiola’s squad.

Speaking to BBC Sport this week following confirmation of his investment in Manchester United, and take of a 27.7% stake in the Old Trafford club, Jim Ratcliffe has pointed towards one Manchester City performance as the ultimate goal for Erik ten Hag’s men.

“When Manchester City played Real Madrid at home in the (UEFA Champions League semi-final) second-leg last season, that was the best football I’ve ever seen,” Ratcliffe told the BBC.

“That first 45 minutes where Real Madrid couldn’t get the ball was the best quality football I’ve ever seen,” he continued. “If we can ever get to that point, then that will be a great achievement for Manchester United.”

Manchester City have started their defence of their European crown in perfect fashion this season, cruising through the group phase of the competition with six wins from a possible six, and winning their first-leg last-16 tie.

Pep Guardiola and his players face a two-legged affair against FC Copenhagen, and defeated the Danish giants 1-3 away from home at Parken earlier this month courtesy of goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Phil Foden.

As for Manchester United, Erik ten Hag’s side failed to progress from their group stage campaign, finishing bottom of a group consisting of Bayern Munich, Galatasaray, and City’s last-16 opponents.