As Rico Lewis began his journey to a career with Manchester City at the age of eight, it coincided with the club’s rise to heights from which they have rarely fallen.
When he joined, City were Premier League champions for the first time in 2012 and would soon displace their neighbors United as not only masters of Manchester, but as the leading lights in English football with five more titles since.
For a 10th consecutive season — since United last won the league in 2013 — City will also finish above them in the division once dominated by the Red Devils under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Pep Guardiola’s side also have the chance emulate United’s feat of winning the treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season, cementing their status as one of football’s greatest teams.