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Manchester City defeated Manchester United to win the FA Cup and take another step closer to completing the treble at Wembley. Ilkay Gundogan scored the fastest-ever FA Cup final goal after just 13 seconds but Bruno Fernandes equalised from the penalty spot in a thrilling first half. But Gundogan struck for the second time to restore City’s lead after the restart and although substitute Alejandro Garnacho went close, Pep Guardiola’s side held on. City can complete the treble and match Manchester United if they defeat Inter in the Champions League final next week. Manchester City Stefan Ortega, 7 Pep Guardiola made the big call to start him in the FA Cup final and the goalkeeper didn’t do anything to let his manager down. Made a big save in stoppage time to tip over the crossbar. Kyle Walker, 6 The full-back’s recovery pace was needed at times but he wasn’t really troubled until Garnacho’s introduction. Ruben Dias, 7 A picture of authority in the centre of defence. The Portuguese is back to his best and he looked like he coasted through the final. Manuel Akanji, 7 Another key City performer who makes everything look so simple. Wins his individual duels and creates the platform for players like Gundgoan to be match-winners higher up the pitch. John Stones, 9 Outstanding in the second half as his growing influence helped City take back control. May have been man of the match if it wasn’t for Gundogan’s double. Rodri, 8 Hardly put a foot wrong defensively - or with the ball. Such a reliable performer week after week. Bernardo Silva, 6 A quieter afternoon for the Portuguese - didn’t have his usual big-game impact on the right. Kevin De Bruyne, 7 Mesmeric in the second half and showed his class to take the game away from United. Taken off after 75 minutes with the Champions League final in mind. Ilkay Gundogan, 9 City’s man for the big occasion. His record-breaking opener after 13 seconds was a dream strike, the second wasn’t struck as purely but the German’s sense of timing is extraordinary. Player of the match. Jack Grealish, 6 Didn’t look sharp enough in the first half. Unfortunate with the penalty, but his place in the team ahead of the Champions League final could be uncertain now. Erling Haaland, 7 The striker had some good moments against Raphael Varane but the match was won elsewhere. His work rate remained high. Manchester United David de Gea, 5 Gundogan’s second looked soft and although De Gea may argue he couldn’t see it through a pack of bodies, what’s clear is United need an upgrade in goal. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 5 The right back won his individual battle with Grelaish but was unable to offer much else. Victor Lindelof, 4 Beaten by Haaland in the move for Gundogan’s opener inside 15 seconds and replaced in the closing stages as Ten Hag rolled the dice. Raphael Varane, 5 Looked to get tight with Haaland and be physical but the City striker was still able to roll him on a couple of occasions. Luke Shaw, 5 Managed to keep Bernardo Silva quiet but was pinned back by City’s relentless pressing. Casemiro, 4 Unable to influence the game from midfield apart from putting in a couple of robust challenges - needed more help from elsewhere. Fred, 4 Struggled to match De Bruyne in the second half and gave away the free kick that led to Gundogan’s second with a foul on the Belgian. Bruno Fernandes, 5 Tucked away a first-half penalty to equalise for United but his team needed more from their influential captain. Christian Eriksen, 3 Looked off the pace and struggled to match City’s intensity in midfield. Taken off on the hour. Jadon Sancho, 3 The winger didn’t turn up and was fortunate he wasn’t removed too with half an hour to play. Sancho didn’t take the warning and was hooked just 17 minutes later. Marcus Rashford, 5 Starved of service for large spells and didn’t look fully fit. Centre forward just doesn’t suit his abilities but wasn’t too far away with a touch and hit from outside of the area. Subs Alejandro Garnacho, 7: Took responsibility and went close with a bending effort. Should have started. Wout Weghorst, 4: Didn’t make an impact and was frustratingly caught offside when the ball was played long to him. Read More Man City vs Manchester United LIVE: FA Cup final latest goal updates as Ilkay Gundogan scores second Victor Lindelof struck by object thrown from crowd in FA Cup final Gundogan breaks record for fastest-ever goal in an FA Cup final Even in defeat, Garnacho shows he’s the future of Manchester United

Ilkay Gundogan’s jaw-dropping double fired treble-chasing Manchester City to an unforgettable FA Cup final win against rivals Manchester United. Wembley witnessed an all-Manchester epic on Saturday as the neighbours met in a major final for the first time, bringing the curtain down on the domestic season in enthralling fashion. City emerged triumphant thanks to Gundogan’s fine volleys in a 2-1 victory that gives Pep Guardiola’s men the chance to emulate United’s 1999 treble heroics next weekend. The 32-year-old midfielder has proven to be a man for the big occasions during his time with the Premier League champions and lashed home a record-breaking opener after just 12 seconds. Gundogan’s stupendous volley was the quickest FA Cup final goal and looked set to spark a derby humiliation, only for United to draw level against the run of play. City were enraged by the decision to award handball against Jack Grealish, but captain Bruno Fernandes kept his cool from the spot to slot home in front of the opposition support. But Guardiola’s men would not be denied a seventh FA Cup triumph, with Gundogan volleying home what proved to be the winner from the edge of the box early in the second half. Victory in arguably the biggest Manchester derby of all time now means City can win the treble in next weekend’s Champions League final against Inter Milan. As for United, this was a galling end to a promising first season under Erik ten Hag. They hit the woodwork in stoppage time, but a second equaliser was beyond them. Wembley was rocking to City’s tune at the final whistle, just as it was after 12 seconds. Gundogan played the kick-off straight to back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, who fired a long ball forward for Erling Haaland to flick on. Victor Lindelof looked to have dealt with the danger when heading clear, only for Gundogan to produce a moment of magic. The City skipper met the looping ball with a stupendous right-footed volley from 22 yards that flew past a statuesque David De Gea. It was a start as remarkable as the strike, rocking United on their heels. City fans thought they had a second in the fourth minute as Rodri rippled the side-netting from a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick. Grealish soon dragged wide. Haaland fired a hopeful effort over and De Bruyne lasered wide after De Gea received treatment as City probed for what felt like an inevitable second. United looked uneasy and were creating precious little, only for a moment of fortune to bring a chance to level from the spot. Handball appeals against Grealish from an Aaron Wan-Bissaka header appeared to have fallen on deaf ears, only for VAR David Coote to intervene. Referee Paul Tierney checked the pitchside monitor and pointed to the spot, with Fernandes keeping his cool to send Ortega the wrong way after a stuttering run-up. United celebrated in front of the City hordes and Lindelof was hit by an object from the stands. Guardiola’s men were aggrieved and were soon haranguing the referee, claiming Fred fouled De Bruyne in the box. Those appeals were ignored and Raphael Varane fired over a decent chance before the break. City returned from the break reinvigorated and skipper Gundogan struck again in the 51st minute. Having been fouled by Fred on the right flank, De Bruyne arrowed a ball to the Germany international on the edge of the box. Inexplicably unmarked, Gundogan volleyed into the ground and his shot bounced past De Gea, sneaking into the bottom right-hand corner in front of the City faithful. Lindelof nearly turned a De Bruyne cross into his own goal and the Belgian maestro was then denied by De Gea as they looked to put the final to bed. Marcus Rashford whistled over before Gundogan thought he had completed his hat-trick. De Gea denied Haaland’s initial attempt and the skipper followed in, only to be ruled offside. Lively substitute Alejandro Garnacho bent just wide from the edge of the box as United pushed for another equaliser, giving City gaps to exploit. Bernardo Silva’s cross-shot flashed across the face of goal and Haaland nearly bundled in a clearance. United so nearly found a stoppage-time equaliser, with Varane and Scott McTominay involved in a scramble that ended with the ball hitting the bar and then just going over. But that was it as City celebrated the league and FA Cup double – achievements that could be added to in Istanbul next weekend. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Josh Tongue claims five on debut as England beat battling Ireland by 10 wickets Resistance of Ireland tail-enders ensures England must bat again at Lord’s Coco Gauff makes progress but French Open loses Elena Rybakina to illness

Manchester City take on Manchester United in a historic FA Cup final at Wembley. In the first ever FA Cup final played between the Manchester clubs, talk of the “treble” has dominated the build-up to the showpiece occasion. City are attempting to equal United’s treble-winning campaign of 1999 this season, with the Premier League title secured and the Champions League final to come next week. Such an achievement would be a landmark moment for the English game, as well as in the rivalry between the teams. United therefore have all the motivation they need as they look to deny City. Erik ten Hag’s side have added the Carabao Cup to their trophy collection this season but Pep Guardiola’s team have looked unstoppable in recent weeks, with striker Erling Haaland set to feature in the FA Cup final for the first time after his record-breaking 36-goal Premier League campaign. There are storylines everywhere you look as Wembley gets ready to host an unmissable final. Follow live updates from the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United, below: Read More Manchester United are obsessed with stopping Man City – their history depends on it The unlikely Manchester United answer to derail Man City’s treble hopes Ruben Dias interview: ‘Man City have done nothing yet - thinking too far ahead will kill us’

Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof was struck by an object thrown from the crowd celebrating his team’s equaliser against Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Lindelof was hit as the Manchester United players celebrated in front of the Manchester City supporters following a controversial penalty, which was scored by Bruno Fernandes. The object, which appeared to be a lighter, was thrown from the end where the Manchester City fans were sitting and hit Lindelof near his left eye. City took the lead after just 13 seconds - the fastest goal in FA Cup final history - but United were awarded a penalty later in the first half for a handball on Jack Grealish. Lindelof continued to play on after being hit by the object and appeared to escape injury. More follows Read More Man City vs Manchester United LIVE: FA Cup final latest score and goal updates after controversial penalty

Ilkay Gundogan’s fantastic volley at Wembley put Manchester City ahead against rivals Manchester United - and made history in the process as the fastest-ever goal in an FA Cup final. The German midfielder ran onto an attempted header clear and thundered a dipping strike into the top corner past David de Gea, with just 12 seconds on the clock - taking more than that amount of time again off the previous record. Back in 2009, Louis Saha scored after only 25 seconds, on that occasion playing for Everton in an eventual 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. After that goal, Roberto Di Matteo’s goal after 43 seconds for Chelsea against Middlesbrough in 1997 is now third-fastest. FOLLOW LIVE: All the FA Cup final action from Wembley This time around at Wembley, Man City’s lead lasted only half an hour, with Bruno Fernandes scoring from the penalty spot for United to mark another minor piece of history: the first time that both starting captains scored in the final for their respective teams. Both teams were chasing multiple pieces of silverware heading into the match, after City wrapped up the Premier League title last month and United won the League Cup final earlier this year. After the FA Cup final, Pep Guardiola’s team will also be playing the Champions League final, hoping their bid for a treble remains intact when they face Inter Milan in Istanbul. Read More A closer look at the goals that lit up the 2022-23 season Ilkay Gundogan urges Manchester City to keep standards high in quest for treble Manchester City players and fans celebrate step one of the treble

Urban Meyer largely equates the new landscape of NIL in college football to that of cheating.If you have any doubts about Urban Meyer ever coaching in college football again, I think his stance on NIL will probably make that pretty difficult for him.Meyer spoke with Outkick's Dan Dakich...

Manchester United have the chance to deny Manchester City their treble dream in an historic FA Cup final at Wembley. It’s the first time the two Manchester clubs have met in the FA Cup final and comes as City try to equal United’s treble-winning campaign achieved in 1999. Erik ten Hag’s side have all the motivation but Pep Guardiola’s side have looked unstoppable in recent weeks as they look to add to their Premier League crown. Here’s everything you need to know. Manchester City will look to move a step closer to a historic treble as they take on rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final. Pep Guardiola’s side surged to a third Premier League title in a row and will face Inter in the Champions League final next week in Istanbul. The only team to do the treble in English football history was Manchester United in 1999 - and Erik ten Hag’s side will have all the motivation they need to protect that record. Here’s everything you need to know. When is the FA Cup final and what time does it kick off? The 2022/23 FA Cup final takes place at Wembley on Saturday 3 June 2023. Kick-off is at 3pm. Where can I watch it? The FA Cup final is free-to-air, so viewers can watch on BBC 1, ITV 1 and STV. For those wishing to stream the match it will be visible on the BBC Sport website, the BBC iPlayer, ITVX and STV Player. Team news Pep Guardiola eased concerns over the fitness of a number of key Manchester City players ahead of the FA Cup final. Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji all missed the champions’ final Premier League game of the season at Brentford last week but those players have all since returned to training and are expected to come back into contention for both the Wembley showpiece. Guardiola has also confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start at Wembley, in keeping with his usual policy for domestic cup fixtures. Antony is “unlikely” to be fit for the final due to an ankle injury and is set to join Anthony Martial, Marcel Sabitzer and Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines. Other than squad backups Donny van de Beek and Tom Heaton, everyone else is available. Predicted line-ups Manchester City: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Sancho, Garnacho, Rashford Odds City 11/21 Draw 39/10 United 11/2 Prediction Pep Guardiola’s team are naturally superior to Erik ten Hag’s across the board, but stopping a rival emulate your own history is a powerful motivator. Perhaps leg No.2 of the treble bid is the one which won’t quite go City’s way. Man City 1-2 Man United. Read More Pep Guardiola can understand United’s motivation to end City’s treble hopes Erik ten Hag says ending City’s treble charge is no extra motivation for United Man City players will give everything to win FA Cup final – Pep Guardiola Manchester United are obsessed with stopping Man City – their history depends on it The unlikely Manchester United answer to derail Man City’s treble hopes How Raphael Varane transformed Manchester United: ‘You need the character to fight’ Ruben Dias interview: ‘Man City have done nothing yet - thinking too far ahead will kill us’ Erling Haaland: Winning treble with Manchester City would be my biggest dream Pep Guardiola eases fitness concerns over Man City players ahead of FA Cup final

Manchester United face Manchester City in the FA Cup final with talk of the “treble” dominating the Wembley showpiece. City have the Premier League title in the bag and now face rivals United in the FA Cup final and Inter in the Champions League final on consecutive weekends. Pep Guardiola’s side are attempting to equal United’s treble, famously achieved in the 1999 season - the only time the treble has been won in England. Erik ten Hag’s United already have the Carabao Cup in their trophy room and the chance to deny City in the first-ever all-Manchester FA Cup final is all the motivation they need. Here’s everything you need to know. When is the FA Cup final and what time does it kick off? The 2022/23 FA Cup final takes place at Wembley on Saturday 3 June 2023. Kick-off is at 3pm. Where can I watch it? The FA Cup final is free-to-air, so viewers can watch on BBC 1, ITV 1 and STV. For those wishing to stream the match it will be visible on the BBC Sport website, the BBC iPlayer, ITVX and STV Player. Team news Pep Guardiola eased concerns over the fitness of a number of key Manchester City players ahead of the FA Cup final. Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji all missed the champions’ final Premier League game of the season at Brentford last week but those players have all since returned to training and are expected to come back into contention for both the Wembley showpiece. Guardiola has also confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start at Wembley, in keeping with his usual policy for domestic cup fixtures. Antony is “unlikely” to be fit for the final due to an ankle injury and is set to join Anthony Martial, Marcel Sabitzer and Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines. Other than squad backups Donny van de Beek and Tom Heaton, everyone else is available. Predicted line-ups Manchester City: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Sancho, Garnacho, Rashford Odds City 11/21 Draw 39/10 United 11/2 Prediction Pep Guardiola’s team are naturally superior to Erik ten Hag’s across the board, but stopping a rival emulate your own history is a powerful motivator. Perhaps leg No.2 of the treble bid is the one which won’t quite go City’s way. Man City 1-2 Man United. Read More Manchester United are obsessed with stopping Man City – their history depends on it The unlikely Manchester United answer to derail Man City’s treble hopes How Raphael Varane transformed Manchester United: ‘You need the character to fight’ Ruben Dias interview: ‘Man City have done nothing yet - thinking too far ahead will kill us’ Erling Haaland: Winning treble with Manchester City would be my biggest dream Pep Guardiola eases fitness concerns over Man City players ahead of FA Cup final

A derby day at Wembley beckons, with Manchester City hoping to take another step toward equalling history - and Manchester United desperate to keep that particular page for themselves. The Red Devils are looking to emulate Liverpool from last season and win both the League Cup and FA Cup in the same season; the former is in the bag and now the latter is the target for Erik ten Hag’s team. Pep Guardiola’s Premier League winners, however, are in search of a treble. With the domestic title sewn up and a Champions League final on the horizon against Inter Milan, this match is the second part of their quest which would underline their dominance on home soil. City’s last FA Cup triumph came four years ago, while United are without this title in seven years. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the big day. When is the FA Cup final and what time does it kick off? The 2022/23 FA Cup final takes place at Wembley on Saturday 3 June 2023. Kick-off is at 3pm. Where can I watch it? The FA Cup final is free-to-air, so viewers can watch on BBC 1, ITV 1 and STV. For those wishing to stream the match it will be visible on the BBC Sport website, the BBC iPlayer, ITVX and STV Player. Team news Pep Guardiola eased concerns over the fitness of a number of key Manchester City players ahead of the FA Cup final. Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji all missed the champions’ final Premier League game of the season at Brentford last week but those players have all since returned to training and are expected to come back into contention for both the Wembley showpiece. Guardiola has also confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start at Wembley, in keeping with his usual policy for domestic cup fixtures. Antony is “unlikely” to be fit for the final due to an ankle injury and is set to join Anthony Martial, Marcel Sabitzer and Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines. Other than squad backups Donny van de Beek and Tom Heaton, everyone else is available. Predicted line-ups Manchester City: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Sancho, Garnacho, Rashford Odds City 11/21 Draw 39/10 United 11/2 Prediction Pep Guardiola’s team are naturally superior to Erik ten Hag’s across the board, but stopping a rival emulate your own history is a powerful motivator. Perhaps leg No.2 of the treble bid is the one which won’t quite go City’s way. Man City 1-2 Man United. Read More FA Cup final prize money: How much do winners earn? The unlikely Man Utd answer to derail Man City’s treble hopes Manchester United are obsessed with stopping Man City – their history depends on it Casemiro promised to fix Man United - FA Cup final can prove that he has Ruben Dias: ‘Man City have done nothing yet - thinking too far ahead will kill us’ Raphael Varane: ‘To play for Manchester United, you need something different’

Manchester City will look to move a step closer to a historic treble as they take on rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final. Pep Guardiola’s side surged to a third Premier League title in a row and will face Inter in the Champions League final next week in Istanbul. The only team to do the treble in English football history was Manchester United in 1999 - and Erik ten Hag’s side will have all the motivation they need to protect that record. Here’s everything you need to know. When is the FA Cup final and what time does it kick off? The 2022/23 FA Cup final takes place at Wembley on Saturday 3 June 2023. Kick-off is at 3pm. Where can I watch it? The FA Cup final is free-to-air, so viewers can watch on BBC 1, ITV 1 and STV. For those wishing to stream the match it will be visible on the BBC Sport website, the BBC iPlayer, ITVX and STV Player. Team news Pep Guardiola eased concerns over the fitness of a number of key Manchester City players ahead of the FA Cup final. Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji all missed the champions’ final Premier League game of the season at Brentford last week but those players have all since returned to training and are expected to come back into contention for both the Wembley showpiece. Guardiola has also confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start at Wembley, in keeping with his usual policy for domestic cup fixtures. Antony is “unlikely” to be fit for the final due to an ankle injury and is set to join Anthony Martial, Marcel Sabitzer and Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines. Other than squad backups Donny van de Beek and Tom Heaton, everyone else is available. Predicted line-ups Manchester City: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Sancho, Garnacho, Rashford Odds City 11/21 Draw 39/10 United 11/2 Prediction Pep Guardiola’s team are naturally superior to Erik ten Hag’s across the board, but stopping a rival emulate your own history is a powerful motivator. Perhaps leg No.2 of the treble bid is the one which won’t quite go City’s way. Man City 1-2 Man United. Read More Manchester United are obsessed with stopping Man City – their history depends on it The unlikely Manchester United answer to derail Man City’s treble hopes How Raphael Varane transformed Manchester United: ‘You need the character to fight’ Ruben Dias interview: ‘Man City have done nothing yet - thinking too far ahead will kill us’ Erling Haaland: Winning treble with Manchester City would be my biggest dream Pep Guardiola eases fitness concerns over Man City players ahead of FA Cup final

Bruno Fernandes believes Manchester United are building something special under Erik ten Hag, who the skipper feels a debt of gratitude to having stood by him amid intense criticism following the Liverpool debacle. The meticulous Dutchman has helped drag the Old Trafford giants up from a low ebb, leading them back into the Champions League having won the Carabao Cup in his first season at the helm. Ten Hag now has the chance to end a positive campaign by completing a domestic cup double with a statement victory at Wembley, where United take on treble-chasing Manchester City on Saturday. The first all-Manchester FA Cup final promises to be a special occasion and one that Fernandes, set to skipper the side, believes can provide the catalyst for further success. “It is important for us, even to build,” the Portugal international told the PA news agency. “We are now building something we see can be special in the future. “Obviously I think if we win the FA Cup, it will give a little bit more belief that we can go into the next season and aim for bigger targets.” Fernandes, who signed a new deal at United towards the end of last season, said: “I want to win trophies at the club. “I spoke with the club before I signed that contract and said ‘I want to be successful with the club, but I need to make sure the club is going to be the right things and do things in a successful way’. “I think those steps are being done. We still need some things and I think we will have that. Not only with transfers but also in the dressing room with us stepping up more in moments that we needed it this season, but we didn’t. “Next season we will have learned so we need to do it better.” Fernandes’ drive and fiercely ambitious nature matches that of Ten Hag, who he credits for overseeing a “big improvement on the team mentality wise and quality wise”. “I said since the beginning of the season he demands a lot,” the playmaker said. “He wants to win. He wants to be in the position to win everything. “He doesn’t hide that, he shows that, he passes the message through the players, so it makes you be always aware that you have to be at the best level as possible to play with him, to be part of the club. “He has made high demands for everyone to understand that we are in a big club and to be here we have to deserve to be here, we have to show that we deserve to be here. “And I think that he has been changing the mentality of everyone to not be relaxed, not be thinking that your place is guaranteed here.” Ten Hag has overseen a largely positive campaign, but there have been some ugly bumps in the road – no more so than March’s club record-equalling 7-0 defeat at arch-rivals Liverpool. That shellacking saw skipper Fernandes face scathing criticism from the likes of United greats Roy Keane and Gary Neville – a stinging assessment that led to a staunch defence by his manager. “I’m aware that he’s really happy with the way I train, the way I play, the way I show my emotions, the way I show my passion for the game,” the Portuguese said of Ten Hag. “He knows I care, that’s why probably sometimes it makes you do some things that you should not do. “But he knows that I will never do nothing to make the team look bad, my team-mates look bad, or making something that is not good for the team. “He knows that, so that’s why it protects me. That’s why he did that in that interview and many other times. “Whenever he thinks that he has to say something that he didn’t like to me, he has called me two or three times in his office and he said ‘look, we have to change this, we have to change this, I think you could do it in a different way’. “We had many conversations this season. He always called the players to talk with them, he has a lot of individual meetings with the players. “I think that’s good because he shows you the respect, he shows you the protection. But always with the demands behind that because obviously when you protect someone you want him to give you some back, so he can have his reasons to protect you.” Captaining United to their first domestic cup double will certainly help repay Ten Hag’s backing and would mean a huge amount to the fans. Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1999 heroes are the only team to have won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same campaign, adding extra incentive – if any was needed – to Saturday’s encounter under the arch. “We are aware of this,” Fernandes said. “We know this. We know the story of our club and that the fans don’t want City to do that. “But for ourselves it is about lifting a trophy. The importance of this for us is winning another trophy, making sure we end the season in the best way possible. “We know if we win the trophy, the consequence of that is Man City cannot do the treble anymore. “But from the players’ side, it is just about winning the game because we want to win a trophy for ourselves, the club, the fans. That is it.”

Pep Guardiola believes stopping Manchester City winning the treble could give Manchester United extra motivation in the FA Cup final. The two neighbouring rivals clash in the Wembley showpiece for the first time on Saturday with more than a trophy and local bragging rights at stake. For Premier League winners City victory could be the second leg of a potentially glorious treble with the final of the Champions League to come next week. United on the other hand – as the only side to have won all three of those competitions in the same season, back in 1999 – will be anxious to stop them and protect their place in history. City manager Guardiola said: “I could understand that. It belongs to them, that’s normal. Sport is like that. “’That belongs to us – we don’t want anyone else to do it,’ it’s normal, that feeling. It’s completely understandable. But it’s a football game, who will be better will win.” United boss Erik ten Hag, however, has played down the party-pooping aspect of his side’s task. The Dutchman has enjoyed an encouraging first season at Old Trafford having won the Carabao Cup and reclaimed a Champions League spot. “I know what is the thinking from the fans,” Ten Hag said. “But what we want is to restore Manchester United by winning trophies. We have an opportunity to win a trophy and we don’t want to be distracted by anything. “If it’s important for the fans then it’s important for us, so we will give everything to win the cup.” Guardiola insists the treble is not part of his thinking yet. He has spent the week preparing to face United and will switch focus to playing Inter Milan in Istanbul next week. “We didn’t speak once about Inter these days,” he said. “We’ll have Sunday off, and after we’ll have three or four days training. “We’ll introduce what we believe Inter are, to try to beat them, then. We have time. Saturday to Saturday is a long time to prepare for a game. “United and the FA Cup deserve the full attention and commitment. The players are completely aware of that.” City could have a fully-fit squad with Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji, who all missed last week’s game at Brentford, having since returned to training. Guardiola has confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start, as he has in all domestic cup fixtures this season. United are without striker Anthony Martial due to a hamstring injury and winger Antony is also a major doubt. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live James Vince and Liam Dawson do the damage in Hampshire’s rout of Essex Erik ten Hag says ending City’s treble charge is no extra motivation for United Man City players will give everything to win FA Cup final – Pep Guardiola