06 January 2024 , 22:30
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Pep Guardiola has admitted that beating Manchester United in last season’s FA Cup Final made Manchester City ’s Treble triumph even sweeter.
Two goals from Ilkay Gundogan secured City’s second trophy at Wembley last June - and sent the Blues on the way to the Champions League final the following week full of belief that they could beat Inter Milan and emulate United’s unique achievement of 1999.
It was the first all-Manchester final - and Gundogan’s first strike after just 13 seconds was the quickest goal in the occasion’s storied history.
Guardiola said: “We were lucky to start with the very early Gundo goal. They equalised, but in the second half we made a step forward. We were brilliant. It was really good and it helped us arrive in a better mood for the final in Istanbul against Inter.
“Against United, yes, it was a little, little bit more special - we have to admit it. For our fans, maybe even more special. I was honestly just trying to be focussed on what we had to do to beat them. Put the emotions aside.
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“I didn’t ask them (the fans). They didn’t invite me to the pub to take a beer! So I didn’t speak with them, honestly, but I know they were happy. It’s the same for United if they beat us. There is something special - that is why it’s nice.
“Like Everton v Liverpool or United v Liverpool, these games are special for the fans. It’s what is necessary in our sport. Like the big three animals in tennis - Djokovic, Federer and Nadal - the competition is there. The rivalry is there. It is nice.
Guardiola was delighted to get the better of rivals United (Ashley Western/Colorsport/REX/Shutterstock)“We were two games away from winning the Treble - and, of course, United is the biggest rival from the city, especially for our fans.”
City start the defence of their trophy against Huddersfield at the Etihad - and the bad news for Darren Moore’s Championship strugglers is that Guardiola always gives the competition his full respect. Only once in the Catalan’s seven seasons in Manchester has his team failed to get to the semi-finals or beyond.
In 2018, the Blues suffered a shock defeat at Wigan Athletic - and when footage later emerged of the inquest in City’s dressing room as part of the Documentary series ‘All or Nothing’ it was clear that the 1-0 loss stung Guardiola.
City suffered a shock defeat to Wigan in the fifth round in 2018 (Getty Images)He added: “You will not find one person in this club and in this locker room that doesn’t love it. The FA Cup is the FA Cup - even for me. I was not born in this country, but I know how special the competition is. Everyone can beat everyone, so it’s special and we feel it.
“I think we’ve behaved really well. I think, except for one year, we have reached the semi-finals. Two times in the final we have won it. So we were there all the time and, of course, we want to do it again.”
Guardiola is set to give Kevin De Bruyne some minutes after the Belgian was an unused substitute in last week’s win over Sheffield United following his recovery from an operation to repair a ruptured hamstring in August.
Jeremy Doku is also in the frame for a return, but City are unlikely to risk Erling Haaland, while John Stones has been ruled out.
Phil Foden has stepped seamlessly into De Bruyne’s creative pocket in the Belgian’s absence - and Guardiola believes the pair can combine as a formidable force in central midfield. He said: “They are different players but it is true that in the final third, in the decisive moments, he (Foden) has been more than incredible with the impact, goals and passes.
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Kevin De Bruyne is set to return for Manchester City (Getty Images)“Phil is playing unbelievably in that position - and in certain games they can play both together, in the pockets, close to the box, in the middle. In certain other games, for stability, maybe not.”