Like many Manchester City fans in Malaysia, Raphael Siah started supporting the club out of frustration as its neighbour, United, was winning everything.
Siah, a corporate communications executive from Sunway, confessed he did not know much about football when he chose City in 2007, but it was a decision he has never regretted.
“Most of my friends were, and still are, United fans. Back then, United was winning everything, but I wanted to find a different club,” said Siah, 23.
“I thought Manchester City, being from the same city, would be just as good. But at that time, it was a mid-table team.
“Nonetheless, I stuck with the club and players such as Stephen Ireland, Shaun Wright-Phillips, and Roque Santa Cruz.
“Then, the takeover happened a year later. City started buying players like Robinho, Carlos Tevez, and Sergio Aguero. It took a few years, but it is now successful.”
With four league titles in the last five years, City is again the favourite this season. If it were to win, it would make it three league titles on the trot, a feat only achieved five times.
In the Premier League era, Manchester United did it twice (1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01) and (2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09), while in the old Division One, Huddersfield (1923-24, 1924-25 and 1925-26), Arsenal (1932-33, 1933-34, 1934-35) and Liverpool (1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84) are the only other clubs to achieve the feat.
“Liverpool will be a strong contender. Tottenham, with Antonio Conte at the helm, is a dark horse.
“But, I am confident we can make it three titles on the trot as the team has recruited wisely this season (Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, and Julian Alvarez). I feel we have the strongest squad,” said Siah, who is banking on Haaland scoring plenty of goals.
“We created so many chances that could have won us games that we drew last season. The reason for that was that we did not have a proper striker.
“This year, with Haaland in the side, we have a striker in the mould of Aguero, who can score lots of goals.”
Aguero is City’s record scorer with 257 goals in 384 appearances.
While some are sceptical about Haaland’s suitability to adapt to City’s possession style, Siah said the Norwegian’s performance against West Ham a week ago should silence the doubters.
“Haaland and City will be a great fit. They are still finding each other out. Haaland is a more direct player, while City likes possession football.
“City can be a lot more direct if we utilise his pace. If we combine possession and direct football, it will be devastating.”
Asked if Haaland is the missing link in City’s quest to win the Champions League, Siah said he gives them an extra 10 per cent chance of winning.
“Previously, we may have had an 80 per cent chance of winning it, but I would say we now have a 90 per cent chance. To me, the missing link is Lady Luck,” said Siah, who described Aguero scoring the goal that won City the league title in 2012 as his most memorable moment.
“If Haaland was in the team last season, we could have won it. We should have beaten Real Madrid 6-3 or 7-3, but we did not have a finisher, and luck was not on our side.”
City won the home leg 4-3 but saw an effort hit the post, and the ball cleared off the line. It then lost the away tie 3-1 to go out 6-5 on aggregate.
While happy with the team’s recruitment, Siah said he hopes it will bring in cover for the fullbacks.
“We are left with only two fit fullbacks. It is a precarious position. The club should sign Achraf Hakimi and Alphonso Davies, but I do not think it will splash the cash after spending big on Haaland, Phillips, and Alvarez. I hope our fullbacks stay fit.
He added: “Pep (Guardiola) is a genius as he has kept the squad hungry and motivated.
“People try to discredit him by saying he is a chequebook manager. Yes, he has spent big, but he has also made the players better. He is a tactical genius, probably the best in the business.”
FIXTURES (Malaysian time)
SATURDAY
Aston Villa vs Everton (7.30pm)
Southampton vs Leeds (10pm)
Arsenal vs Leicester (10pm)
Brighton vs Newcastle (10pm)
Manchester City vs Bournemouth (10pm)
Wolves vs Fulham (10pm)
SUNDAY
Brentford vs Manchester United (12.30am)
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham (9pm)
Chelsea vs Tottenham (11.30pm)
TUESDAY
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace (3am)