Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Corrigan has backed Manuel Pellegrini’s men to emulate the vintage 1976 side that won the League Cup by clinching victory at Wembley Stadium.
Corrigan played in the 2-1 win over Newcastle 38 years ago – the last time the Blues picked up the trophy.
And he expects the modern-day City side to repeat the victory in Sunday’s Capital One Cup Final meeting with Sunderland.
“It’s up to City. They have the quality and depth of squad to win it when you look at it,” Corrigan told MM.
The Citizens have unfinished business at Wembley after Wigan shocked Roberto Mancini’s side in the FA Cup Final last year and Corrigan believes Pellegrini will cut out any complacency.
“Pellegrini has come in and ruffled a few feathers and he will demand a better performance against Sunderland than City gave last year,” he said “A lot was going on which has come out now about Mancini.”
Corrigan, 65, will be able to view the performance first-hand as have invited the full 1976 side to attend the game, which he described as a ‘great honour’.
But he has also warned that his side may not have it all their own way at the national stadium.
The former keeper said: “I’m looking forward to it. Sunderland beat them up there this season and they’ll be up for it.
Corrigan, who made 592 City appearances in all competitions, also described how the day of a major final is experienced by the players.
“A final goes so quickly. Dennis (Tueart) scored a wonderful overhead kick and that’s the way it goes,” he told MM.
“You don’t remember the game, you only see it through videos and highlights afterwards. It is just another game of football. The whole game is just a blur.”
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