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Manchester United fans are remembering the moment Paul Pogba ‘won them the Premier League’ after Manchester City were hit with more than 100 financial charges.
In one of the biggest stories in the history of English football, a four-year investigation from the Premier League found that City breached rules over nine seasons between 2009/10 and 2017/18.
Accused of not providing accurate financial information, City could be hit with heavy punishments if they are found guilty by an independent commission.
One of the potential punishments mentioned is for them to be stripped of the Premier League titles they won.
The 2017/18 campaign saw City become the only side to amass 100 points on their way to winning the Premier League.
They finished 19 points ahead of United, with Jose Mourinho hailing his second-placed finish as one of his best achievements in football.
City looked like they were going to win the league at home to their rivals after going 2-0 up at the Etihad Stadium. It promised to be an iconic memory for the Blues supporters for years to come but then a Pogba-inspired United completely turned the game on its head in the second half.
The Frenchman, with his blue streak in his hair, dropped a masterclass in the second half and scored twice. Chris Smalling scored the winner and David de Gea made an insane save to deny Sergio Aguero as United spoiled the title party.
And with the recent bombshell news, United fans have been reminiscing about the memorable win. – with one sharing the highlights with the caption, “Imagine this becomes the PL title winning game for Manchester United”.
A supporter wrote: “One thing about this game: it will always go down as Pogba’s best game in a United shirt.”
Another commented: “The day Jose won the league.”
A third said: “One of the greatest comebacks.”
A fourth opined: “Pogba becomes a Man Utd legend if this happens.”
A fifth added: “Pogba and Mourinho being behind the last UTD title…INJECT IT IN MEEE!”
United lost 1-0 at home to West Brom a week later, which meant City were Premier League champions for the third time.
Mourinho, now manager of Roma, has made no comment on the story as he did with the UEFA charge in 2020 at the time of writing.
The Premier League’s big guns, meaning Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, are said to be demanding the harshest punishment is imposed on City as they don’t deem a fine to have much of an effect.
But according to Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports, the general consensus is that most people are expecting City will likely be hit with a “small points deduction” should they be found guilty.
It’s said many feel retrospectively stripping City of titles would be pointless and because of the complex nature, it’s likely no winner would be crowned.
City say they welcome the review and the opportunity to clear their name. As the did with the UEFA case where CAS ruled in their favour, they have hired top lawyer Lord Pannick KC of Blackstone Chamber.
Pannick is said to command mammoth fees between £5,000 to £10,000 per hour, which could see him earn the same wage as City talisman Kevin De Bruyne.
