May 24th 2024.
During a press conference before the FA Cup final, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shared his thoughts on the current struggles of rival team Manchester United. He agreed with Ajax manager Erik ten Hag's belief that injuries have been the main reason for United's disappointing season. The team has set several unwanted records and experienced their lowest-ever Premier League finish.
Ten Hag is hoping to end the season on a positive note by winning the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday. However, it is uncertain if this will be enough to save his job at Old Trafford. Rumors have been swirling that United is considering sacking Ten Hag and have been in contact with Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna and former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Guardiola refrained from advising United against sacking Ten Hag, but he did agree that injuries have played a major role in their struggles this season. "In big clubs, when you don't win, you are always in trouble," he stated. "That's not a secret. I would be in trouble if we didn't win. He's done very, very good things and I have huge respect for his job in the past."
Guardiola also echoed Ten Hag's sentiment that injuries have been a major hindrance for United. "I completely agree when I listen to him say he hasn't had a full squad all season and has had a lot, a lot of injuries," he said. "Players have to be fit otherwise you cannot use them. They've had a lot of problems and then the manager has suffered a lot. I think the squad is really good but when players are injured you cannot use them."
When asked if he was surprised by United's poor performance this season, Guardiola responded, "I'm not there. I'm pretty sure they know the reason why." He also emphasized the importance of having a full squad and stated that if he were to lose a lot of central defenders, he would also be in trouble.
Having just won their fourth consecutive Premier League title, Guardiola is now focused on winning back-to-back domestic doubles with Manchester City. The FA Cup final this year will be a rematch of last year's event, in which City emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over United.
"It is football, it's never happened before in our history [repeat derby finals] and two years, two times in a row," Guardiola said. "We respect United, always like that for history. In the last decade, we have been better but in terms of history, you have to respect them massively. What they feel like I don't know, I'm not there."
City has a chance to make history by becoming the first team to win back-to-back domestic doubles. "We play the FA Cup and we can do back-to-back doubles," Guardiola said. "It's a chance for us to do this. The FA Cup is special, Wembley, all our fans going to London. It's the last game of the season, the last effort. We all travel together and I'm impressed by how well we have trained after a few days off. Everyone is focused and wants to be involved. We will do our best for sure."
In the end, Guardiola emphasized the mutual respect between the two teams and their history. He also mentioned the importance of the final game of the season and the hard work and determination of his team. It will surely be an exciting match to watch.
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