Man United's history depends on three ex-players who can wreck Man City treble

That's because there is still some red blood standing in City's way.

Pep Guardiola's side face Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday night and victory will match United's treble-winning season of 1998/99.

Many expect a routine victory for the Premier League and FA Cup winners, but three Inter players might have extra motivation.

Romelu Lukaku, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Matteo Darmian all failed to make an impact at Old Trafford.

But the trio are now presented with a seismic opportunity to preserve United's history...

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Romelu Lukaku

The Belgium striker remains the fifth most expensive player in United's history and things started so brightly.

After signing for £75million in 2017, Lukaku scored ten goals in his opening nine games, breaking Bobby Charlton's record for the fastest start in a United shirt.

However, a 12-game drought during the 2018/19 season contributed to Jose Mourinho's sacking, and the next manager did not fancy him.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferred Marcus Rashford up front and Lukaku found himself sidelined.

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Inter coughed up £68m to buy Lukaku in the summer of 2019, before an incredible two seasons earned him a club-record £97.5m move to Chelsea in 2021.

His return to Stamford Bridge did not go to plan and Lukaku was loaned back to Inter in 2022.

After yet another difficult campaign, Lukaku recently regained form - and could face City with a point to prove.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Mkhitaryan is another man synonymous with a dismal United spell.

Having arrived from Borussia Dortmund with big expectations, the £30m forward was a major let-down.

Despite two disappointing seasons between 2016 and 2018, Arsenal took a chance on the Armenian, nabbing him in a swap deal that sent Alexis Sanchez to Old Trafford.

But it is in Italy where the 34-year-old eventually came good.

After struggling at the Emirates, Mkhitaryan injected new life into his career at Roma, before Inter signed him in the summer of 2022.

He is now a key part of Simone Inzaghi's team - and this is a man who respects United.

Mkhitaryan once refused to celebrate a goal for Arsenal against the Red Devils - and he can now help to protect their place in the history books.

Matteo Darmian

While Lukaku and Mkhitaryan may not have fond memories from their short spells at Old Trafford, Darmian spent four years at the club.

After starting most games in the 2015/16 season, the Italian become United's second-choice right back for the following three seasons and struggled for game time.

However, Darmian would become yet another United player to discover his full potential in Milan.

The full-back helped Inter win the Serie A title in 2020/21 and played a key role in their run to the Champions League final this season.

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United fans did not always appreciate Lukaku, Mkhitaryan and Darmian.

But one thing is for sure - they will be behind the trio more than ever on Saturday night.