Manchester United have four transfer priorities in 18 months to get closer to Man City

Away from the celebrations at the Etihad, it was the question that dominated the weekend. Just how do you stop this Manchester City team?

There was a certain amount of disingenuous discussion around City’s hold over the league, given Arsenal emerged from the chasing pack to lay down a challenge this season. The idea that the title heading to Pep Guardiola’s side has been preordained all season isn’t true. For a lot of this campaign, plenty of neutrals thought Arsenal would get over the line. It suggests they can be caught.

But the Gunners stumbled at a time when City have put their foot to the floor. For more than half of this season, Guardiola's side looked vulnerable, but if they play all of 2023/24 in this kind of mood, they will take some stopping.

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Supporters might cling to the idea that the independent panel assessing the 115 charges the Premier League have brought against the club could stop them in their tracks, but there are no guarantees and no timeframe. You can be sure those in the chasing pack will be looking at how they get closer to City rather than putting all their eggs in a process they have no say in.

Mikel Arteta, Erik ten Hag and Jurgen Klopp will be looking at City and their own team and trying to plot improvements to close the gap. Eddie Howe and Mauricio Pochettino might have similar ambitions.

The problem is that this looks like the peak of the Guardiola era at the Etihad. They are two games from the treble and look a more assured, more complete side than they have before. They have a fearsome defence, an unstoppable goalscorer and a brilliant midfield.

They are on to finish 20 points ahead of United this season and to win the title it’s