Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shared his latest thoughts ahead of the 2023/24 FA Cup final against Manchester United.

Manchester City will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final at 9:00 PM on May 25th .

Exactly one year ago, Pep Guardiola’s Man City secured a 2-1 victory over MU in the FA Cup final at Wembley. If they repeat this feat this weekend, they will defend the oldest trophy in the world for the first time in history.

Speaking to the media ahead of the highly anticipated Manchester derby, Pep Guardiola expressed excitement and high regard for the city rivals:

“This week the team has prepared very well. We have studied Man United, and the training sessions have gone quite well. My players look very focused and ready. I’m looking forward to the game.”

“It’s a privilege to be here with the opportunity to win this beautiful cup once again. Last season we met Man United here in the first Manchester derby in a Cup final.”

“Coming back less than 12 months later, facing Man United again, is fantastic. I know everyone is really excited about this game and what it means to everyone.”

Continuing the press conference, the Spanish tactician highlighted the challenges of the FA Cup tournament, stating that reaching the final is never easy:

“Reaching the final is never easy. Hundreds of teams have participated in the tournament, and each team wants the same outcome. We had to win 5 really difficult matches to be here today, the whole team has contributed a lot. Man City has had to fight, and believe me, we want to win the final here today and bring the cup to Etihad.”

Regarding the tournament, Pep Guardiola emphasized the prestige of the FA Cup and how happy he was to win it twice in 2019 and 2023:

“To be honest, winning this cup in 2019 and 2023 were two of the greatest days I’ve had as a football coach. It’s a historic tournament, and it’s an honor to participate. Man City will do everything possible to win this cup again. The whole team wants to make the fans proud, I can promise you that.”

This is the second time in FA Cup history that the final has been held in consecutive years, after Blackburn Rovers faced Queen’s Park in 1884 and 1885.

Man City has won both encounters with Man United in the Premier League this season, defeating the Red Devils 3-0 at Old Trafford and 3-1 at the Etihad. The last time the Sky Blues defeated their city rivals three times in the same season was in 1970.