THE managers of Manchester United and Manchester City, Erik ten Hag and Pep Guardiola, are both confident as their sides prepare for today’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
It is the first time in FA Cup history that the firece Manchester rivals are meeting in the final, and both coaches are backing their sides to win while showing mutual admiration for each other.
City are on course for the treble which only United have ever achieved in England, but Ten Hag insists stopping his club’s rivals is not his motivation.
“I know what the thinking is from the supporters. But what we want is to restore Manchester United by winning trophies,” Ten Hag said during his press conference.
“So on Saturday, we have the opportunity to win a trophy, and we don’t want to be distracted by anything.”
The Dutchman insisted that his players do not need extra motivation to go for the FA Cup.
“If it’s important for the fans, then it’s important for us. So we will give everything to win the cup,” he assured.
“That (stopping City’s treble bid) will not give more motivation to the team because their motivation is already enough and that can’t be more.
“They want to win a cup and they have an opportunity. They want to set a crown on the season and so what more do you need? What is more motivation?”
Ten Hag and Guardiola worked briefly together at Bayern Munich few years ago when the Dutchman handled the German giants’ reserves.
He has nothing but admiration for Guardiola, who was Bayern Munich manager for three years, from 2013 to 2016.
When asked what makes Guardiola a special manager from working with him, Ten Hag replied: “Oh, I don’t tell. Obviously, we have seen what he’s doing. He is doing a brilliant job and what he can do.
“He can construct teams, not only in winning teams, but also he’s winning in a very attractive way. So that’s why I think we all admire him.”
Guardiola’s team will make history by becoming only the second side after Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United to win the treble if he leads City to FA Cup and UEFA Champions League triumph to add to the Premier League title they already have.
However, the Spaniard is focused on today’s final and how to beat Manchester United.
“We’re going to play a game where we feel comfortable. In finals, no second options,” he told his press conference.
“I’d like to see, in uncomfortable moments, ‘We have time, keep going, no complaining, next action’. If you’re stronger mentally, you’re closer to winning.
“Finals are uncomfortable games. The opponents are more aggressive, we have to do it too, we have to make the game uncomfortable for them, and this is what we have to do.”
The former Barcelona boss suggested that he knew how to deal with Manchester United’s plans.
He said: “From the time I played against United when Sir Alex Ferguson was manager, their biggest threat, each time with Mourinho and subsequent managers, has always been counter-attacking and transitions. is in their DNA.”
Guardiola praised Ten Hag’s impact on United since he took over at Old Trafford in July.
“I cannot say we are friends… but I think Man United has an exceptional manager for many years,” he said.
