Manchester City can win the Champions League this year if Fernandinho stays fit, insists Rio Ferdinand

Manchester City can win the Champions League this year if Fernandinho stays fit, insists Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand has backed Manchester City to win the Champions League this season, but only if midfield general Fernandinho stays fit for the remainder of the competition.The Manchester United legend, who was victorious in the illustrious competition in 2008, believes Pep Guardiola’s men are in pole position to go all the way this year.2

Fernandinho is key to Manchester City’s Champions League dream, according to Rio Ferdinand

However, he believes that is dependent on whether or not the injured Brazilian, who is suspended for City’s last-16 second leg tie against Schalke, is fit and available for selection in the later rounds.He told talkSPORT: “They’re the favourites for me. In terms of depth, quality and the variations they possess, I think they’ve got the best squad.“My only concern for them would if Fernandinho got injured for a period of time. I think my prediction changes.“He’s probably one of the most vital players in their starting XI, he holds it all together like a cog.2

The BT Sport pundit spoke exclusively with talkSPORT on a range of topics

“He’s a driving force for City in midfield, and without him they just aren’t the same.”Despite tipping them to lift Europe’s most coveted trophy, the former England defender says the reigning Premier League champions’ game management must improve if they are to better their previous best finish in the competition when they reached the semi-final in 2016.He added: “They’ll be the team to beat – I’ve got no doubt about that.“Pep’s alluded to this but in terms of knockout football in the Champions League they haven’t gone about managing games right on many occasions in the past. “That could be their Achilles heel in this competition once again if they weren’t to win it.”City came from behind to reign victorious in their first-leg clash against the Bundesliga side, with Raheem Sterling netting an injury-time winner in a thrilling five-goal contest.Speaking ahead of the game at the Etihad, Guardiola claimed his side were still “teenagers in the competition” and insisted they were “still not ready to fight for the latter stages” of the competition.BT Sport brings you the moments that matter this season, with exclusively live coverage of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Watch live on TV and via the award winning BT Sport App. For more info visitbt.com/sport

---

Declan Rice has chosen to represent England instead of the Republic of Ireland after a long time considering his international future. The West Ham midfielder represented the Republic of Ireland
Will Declan Rice play for England or Ireland? West Ham star's

---

Liverpool and Tottenham's Champions League hopes hang in the balance so, what do they need to do against Napoli and Barcelona to reach last-16? Liverpool must beat Napoli to have any chance of
What Liverpool need to do to qualify for Champions League

---

Saudi prince set to hold Manchester United talks over investment deal and £3bn takeover takeover from Saudi Arabia. Well-placed sources believe Crown Prince could be set to launch Man
Manchester United 'lined up for takeover bid' by Saudi crown

---

In Champions League final, Liverpool fans chant for Mohamed Salah: 'I'll be Muslim too' It's the one that gives Liverpool a massive early advantage in the Champions League final Saturday night, silences the "white end" of the stadium and wreaks havoc with Tottenham Hotspur's gameplan.
Liverpool fans laud Mohamed Salah with HILARIOUS chant - this

---

The semi-final round was notable for the climax to the season-long rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United. As the first game went to a nil-nil draw, the match went to a replay. This was to
2005 FA Cup Final - Wikipedia

---

Chelsea transfer news: Kante addresses future, Blues eye World Cup ace, £60m Man Utd claim "Real Madrid can interest me, everyone knows it." Chelsea star Eden Hazard. And Hazard has revealed that he will wait until the situation is resolved before making a decision on his future.
Chelsea star Eden Hazard drops BIG hint on Blues future as

---

Championship play-offs: Derby winger Tom Lawrence escapes diving ban and WILL be available for Leeds semi-final clashes Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Derby's play-off hopes have been given a major boost after the FA ruled winger Tom Lawrence will not be charged with diving.
Derby vs Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa reveals his players will NOT

---

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino defends Juan Foyth after

---

Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Manchester United spell: 'I don't need to lick a**, but the fans were just amazing' The 37-year-old won the Carabao Cup and Europa League during his two seasons with United
"I don't need to lick a**, but the fans were just amazing

---

Roker Roundup: Lyle Taylor reveals the REAL reason why he turned down a move to Sunderland I felt that way on the day Sunderland released me. 25/05/2019 - Roker Report Jack Ross not worried for job as Sunderland prepare for play-off final Sunderland boss Jack Ross says he has 'made his peace' with the threat of him losing his job should owner
Ex-Chelsea ace Steve Sidwell sells Bentley to launch children

---

Premier League form table: How the top flight standings look based on last eight games only - Man United top. Chelsea have tailed off in their bid to finish in the top four, while Burnley are
Premier League Table, Form Guide & Season Archives

---

Alex Ferguson. Man Utd after Sir Alex Ferguson was like trying to charge an iPhone with a Nokia charger, says Anders Lindegaard. standard.co.uk - James Robson in Manchester "Sean Dyche has made one obvious lesson very clear to me," says former Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard. "An ugly lesson. Football owes …
Manchester United news: 'United after Sir Alex was like

---

May 05, 2016 · There's no doubt that Leicester's City incredible Premier League title win will have a huge impact on the Midlands club. [ MORE: Too many "Vardy parties" ] The 2015-16 PL champs have seen
Soccer world pays respects to lives lost in Leicester crash

---

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is predicting an "amazing" Champions League final against Liverpool. Pochettino was reduced to tears after the game after performing what he called a
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham: Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle nearly floored

---