Saturday is a special occasion, not only for the fact it’s the final of the world’s oldest cup competition but it’s also the first-ever all-Manchester affair.
Those of blue persuasion and those of red persuasion will descend on the capital for the 15:00 (UK) kick-off.
It’s bound to be an emotional occasion and the boss says his players will give it their all to achieve the domestic double.
He said: “They know that these players will give everything to beat Manchester United.
“The consequence of the result, who knows it? I don’t know it. I don’t think Erik ten Hag knows it.
“But enjoy the moment. Tonight, when the people travel and tomorrow, unfortunately there’s still the strikes with the train, enjoy it and enjoy the same next week for the next final to see their team. It’s the best way.
“You have to understand it’s a football game. Everything can happen. And we are going to do everything, everything we can do to win against United.
“I understand completely for the City fans, who were in their shadow for decades, we are playing the first time in our history the FA Cup against them. For them, too, the first time. So we will try to do the best game as possible.
“United in the FA Cup final deserves our full attention and commitment.”
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While he’s eager to give his fans something to celebrate post-match, he and his players enjoyed high-quality entertainment pre-game.
Guardiola said that in the downtime after Brentford, he’s still not properly switched off because he’s been assessing United and Inter ahead of the huge double-header.
But he did go to see Sir Elton John for a ‘Farewell’ tour gig in Manchester at the AO Arena while a host of his players, including Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez and Kevin De Bruyne, were here at the Etihad Stadium for Coldplay’s long-awaited ‘Music of the Spheres’ World Tour.
The manager said that, while he and his players have been counting down the days to Saturday, taking in a music concert was a good way to decompress ahead of the major final.
He added: “When you have this in the city, these two events, one with the legend in Sir Elton John, I had the opportunity to go to see him.
“And, of course, the players went to see Coldplay, they put on a fantastic show.
“You have to use it. It’s good. Come on!
“We can be at home watching some movie or at a concert enjoying talented musicians.”
