When someone composes a UEFA Champions League power rankings they are also essentially creating a world power rankings. If you can beat everybody in Europe, then you can beat anybody on Earth. The Guardian concocted a hierarchy of the 16 teams who advanced to the knockout round, and Manchester United came in fifth.
It sounds about right, and it’s hard to argue against that. It’s also difficult to take issue with where United’s opponents this weekend in the Manchester Derby placed- #1.
City have looked unstoppable, on both the domestic, and the international front.
Barcelona, who won their grouping were second, followed by the repeat reigning champions Real Madrid. Paris Saint-Germain placed fourth. England made history by sending five teams through to the knockout round, and four of the five actually topped their group. Chelsea, ranked #8 was the only side that didn’t, and they only missed winning the group by a single point.
In fact, only one other country, Spain, even placed five into the group stages before this season.
The England fab five is completed by Liverpool, ranking #6 and Tottenham Hotspur #9. For the full list go here.
The publication writes of United: “In David de Gea they have perhaps the best goalkeeper in Europe and in Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial they have an attacking trio who are well suited to playing on the break. United have a decent shot of going far in the tournament.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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