OPINION Pep Guardiola handed awkward reminder about his Man City future by laughing Man United

OPINION Pep Guardiola handed awkward reminder about his Man City future by laughing Man United

Pep Guardiola has accelerated Manchester City’s rise past Manchester United but the FA Cup Final showed they can never take their dominance for granted

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Simon Bajkowski
BySimon BajkowskiChief Manchester City writer
17:18, 25 MAY 2024
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Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Final defeat against Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Final defeat against Manchester United.
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Manchester City arrived at Wembley to make more history but saw the end of a few eras instead after a drab defeat to Manchester United.

Whether Erik Ten Hag remains at Old Trafford remains to be seen but the Blues and Rodri must start again next season after seeing 35-match and 74-match unbeaten runs respectively ended. On top of English football six days previously celebrating a fourth successive Premier League title, here they were outplayed by a team they had beaten twice and finished 31 points above; to make it worse, it was their neighbours who they have spent the year laughing at.

Pep Guardiola had warned this performance could happen, and singled out Bruno Fernandes before the game as a specific threat for United. Yet in truth nobody saw this coming as United produced a performance they hadn’t done all season to stun the Blues.

ALSO READ: Man City player ratings as Ortega and De Bruyne poor

ALSO READ: Guardiola gives verdict on Ten Hag and United

Kyle Walker had to be alert inside the first ten seconds as United looked to catch City as cold as they had been done on this occasion last season. Marcus Rashford hounded down on goal after a long kick over the top but his England teammate used his exceptional recovery pace to get the Blues out of trouble.

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Still inside the first minute, City went straight up the other end and were furious that a penalty wasn’t given when Lisandro Martinez barged into the back of Erling Haaland. Pep Guardiola, smart in a suit but without the lucky sweatshirt that he never dared go against in the title race, was remonstrating on the touchline as his players queried the decision.

City enjoyed the majority of possession even if they struggled to make further inroads on Andre Onana’s goal in the opening half-hour. United’s threat on the counter remained though, and Stefan Ortega – the hero a few weeks ago at Spurs – had already shown a rashness when he passed the ball to Mateo Kovacic inside the six-yard box when the pass wasn’t on, and then came out almost to the halfway line approach a ball that Walker already had covered.

Moments later, the goalkeeper charged to the edge of his area when he sensed danger but didn’t get there ahead of the leaping Josko Gvardiol and could only watch as the defender headed the ball over them both to give Alejandro Garnacho a simple tap-in. Not for the first time this season, City had given away a soft goal.

The uncertainty among the backline has not been present in recent months though, and with John Stones and Nathan Ake – brought in for Ruben Dias and Manu Akanji – unable to grasp control of the game a sublime disguised pass from Bruno Fernandes allowed Kobbie Mainoo to add a second before half-time. They left the field asking for even more from their fans as City trudged off wondering what on earth had gone wrong.

A double change at half-time instantly brought improvement, with Jeremy Doku troubling Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Erling Haaland seeing a shot come off the underside of the bar and bounce out as Onana’s goal began to be troubled. Before the hour-mark, Guardiola took a big call in replacing the ineffective Kevin De Bruyne with Julian Alvarez.

Onana produced a stunning save from Walker from outside the box and then Alvarez missed one presentable chance and then one sitter within seven minutes of coming on. City were well on top by this point, they just hadn’t made it count on the scoreboard.

It remained that way until the 87th minute, when Doku’s wriggling finally paid off as he squirmed a shot through Onana to get City back into it. The celebrations from the City fans at that end were not matched by the players, who ran back to the centre-circle to try and get another.

The game plan was simple: get the ball to Doku. He had United all ends up whenever he touched the ball, and there was an awkward ping-pong in the box as another ball failed to be dealt with. City had simply left it too late though and even seven minutes of injury time couldn’t see them force extra time.

Defeat allows their neighbours to play European football next season and may yet keep Ten Hag in a job, but also provides extra fuel for Guardiola and the City players when they return next season. The manager showed his players a mountain that they were at the bottom of last August as they attempted to move on from the Treble, and now the eighth- best team in the country have given them a reminder that they cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

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Guardiola appeared broken after the Premier League win last weekend, admitting that he didn’t know how to motivate his side for next season while stating that he was sure they would all find a way after a break. Captain Walker agreed with him ahead of this final, challenging them to win five in a row and keep ‘swinging the pendulum’ away from United.

Nobody expected the City boss to stay as long as nine years at the Etihad, but a serial winner has been addicted to finding new ways to defeat opponents and prove that they can be the best team in England and Europe. Ten Hag’s United may have been laughing at the end, they may have ruined the end of City’s season with this FA Cup shock, but they have given Guardiola a reminder of why he has stayed so long in the game – and why he could yet stay longer.

Whatever else goes on around them, City and their manager have work to do to ensure their era of dominance does not end soon.

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Manchester City vs Manchester United LIVE!FA cup final 2024 Live Match Stream Here 👇

Fabrizo Romano confirmed Man City has signed world best player, medical presently on process, player to replace Rodri £220m.

Scott Carson has signed a one-year extension to his contract, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2025 ✍️🩵

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Real Madrid now want to sign £62m Man City star this summer
Thu 23 May 2024 20:30
James Thompson
Real Madrid reportedly want to sign one of Manchester City’s star players this summer.

The Spanish club have a track record when it comes to signing big-name players from the Premier League such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard.

Even though the Blues have only just wrapped up their sixth Premier League title in seven years, one of their most important players has found themselves on Real’s radar for the upcoming summer transfer window.

Real Madrid eyeing dream transfer move for Man City star

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
According to a recent report from Spanish media outlet AS (via Sport Witness), Real see Rodri as a dream transfer target to replace the soon-departing Toni Kroos.

The report also adds that City consider the midfielder to be untouchable, therefore making a potential move to Real difficult.

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City should not consider selling Rodri
City signed Rodri from Atletico Madrid back in the 2019 summer transfer window in a deal worth a reported fee of £62m.

Since then, the Spaniard has made 256 appearances for the Manchester club across all competitions, scoring 26 goals and providing 30 assists along the way.

After appearing in all but four of City’s games in their previous Treble-winning season, Rodri then went on to feature in 49 games across all competitions this time around, starting all of them.

In fact, having missed three Premier League games this season through suspension, those were the only three games City lost across the entire campaign.

His performances in the 34 league games he appeared in this season saw the Spain international earn himself an impressive season rating of 7.62/10 from WhoScored, making him the second-highest-rated player in the entire division.

Taking all of that into account, we think that City should not consider selling Rodri under any circumstances this summer or in any other transfer window for the foreseeable future.

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Man City ‘open’ to shock sale to PIF with Liverpool star considered an alternative target
Lewis Oldham 1 hour ago
Man City transfer
Manchester City pair Ederson and Kyle Walker.
According to reports, Manchester City have made it clear whether they would be willing to let Brazil international Ederson leave the club this summer.

Man City invested around £35m to sign Ederson from Portuguese giants Benfica and he has proven to be a bargain for the Premier League giants.

Ederson to leave in the summer?
The ball-playing goalkeeper has made over 300 appearances for Man City and has spent seven seasons as their number-one between the sticks.

The 30-year-old has made 43 appearances for Man City this season across all competitions but his contract is due to expire in 2026 and his long-term future is in doubt.

His backup at the Etihad – Stefan Ortega – has been phenomenal when he’s had to fill in for Ederson so Man City would have a ready-made replacement if the Brazil international moves elsewhere in the coming months.

Earlier this week, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed Ederson could leave this summer amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.

He said: “Ederson could leave Man City in the summer transfer window in case of good proposal, it’s a possibility. There’s already interest from Saudi Pro League clubs with Éderson considering possibilities at the end of the season. It will be up to the player.”

MORE MANCHESTER CITY COVERAGE ON F365…
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According to a report from 90min, Man City’s ‘stance’ on letting Ederson go is that they ‘would not stand in his way should he wish to pursue a new challenge’. Regarding their plans if Ederson were to leave, the report adds.

‘News of a potential move to Saudi Arabia broke at the beginning of the week, and 90min understands that the interest emanates from Jeddah, where Al Ittihad and Al Ahli – two clubs financed by PIF – could be in the market for a new goalkeeper. Liverpool’s Alisson Becker has also been linked.

‘Sources have confirmed that City are not actively looking to sell Ederson, who has two years remaining on his contract, but are open to possibility of him leaving under the right terms, which is a stance they have taken with many first-team players.

‘The Brazilian would likely earn a significant pay rise in the Middle East and City could expect to receive a healthy fee for their number one – money that the eight-time Premier League winners would likely invest into signing a new goalkeeper rather than elevating 31-year-old Stefan Ortega, whose own future at the Etihad Stadium has been called into question, to the role of starter.’

READ NEXT: Guardiola and Arteta miss out on the big prize in our bumper end-of-season manager rankings

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Exclusive: £17m Manager ‘On Shortlist’ to Eventually Get Man City Job
BY
DANNY RUST
PUBLISHED 3 HOURS AGO
Manchester City are monitoring Vincent Kompany ahead of potentially offering a romantic return to the Etihad Stadium

HIGHLIGHTS
Manchester City have pinpointed Vincent Kompany as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola despite being on the brink of taking over at Bayern Munich.
The Sky Blues will keep tabs on how the Belgian tactician adapts to fighting for regular silverware at the Allianz Arena if he leaves current employers Burnley.
Uncertainty over whether Pep Guardiola is aiming to remain at the helm for the long-term has led to Manchester City making contingency plans.
Manchester City have included Vincent Kompany on a shortlist of potential candidates who could succeed Pep Guardiola in the Etihad Stadium dugout despite the Burnley boss being on the brink of taking charge of Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

The Sky Blues made history when they became the first English side to win the top flight title in four consecutive seasons, thanks to overcoming West Ham United last weekend to end Arsenal’s hopes of being crowned the Premier League champions, and plans are being put in place for further success.

In the aftermath of retaining the crown, Manchester City chief Guardiola hinted that the 2024/25 campaign could be his final term in the hot-seat due to being prepared to enter the final 12 months of his contract, and sporting director Txiki Begiristain has started assessing managers who could be tasked with building on a memorable period for the club.

Kompany Eyed as Possible Contender for Sky Blues Job
Premier League champions could offer Etihad Stadium return

Kompany could seal a romantic return to Manchester City later in his managerial career, according to GMS sources, as he has been added by the reigning Premier League champions’ key decision-makers to a list of candidates to keep an eye on ahead of Guardiola’s eventual departure.

It is understood that the Belgian tactician is on the cusp of embarking on a fresh challenge as he has reached a verbal agreement to take over as Bayern Munich’s new head coach, following Thomas Tuchel’s exit at the end of the season, and discussions have begun between his suitors and Burnley.

GMS sources have been informed that Manchester City are seeing Kompany’s opportunity to fight for regular silverware at the Allianz Arena as an ideal chance to monitor how he handles a pressurised job where he is expected to continually challenge for the Bundesliga title and Champions League glory.

Vincent Kompany’s managerial record compared to Pep Guardiola

Vincent Kompany

Pep Guardiola

Matches

191

879

Won

84

652

Drawn

54

120

Lost

53

107

Goals for

322

2247

Goals against

243

726

Statistics correct as of 23/05/2024

The former central defender already has an affinity with the Sky Blues’ fanbase thanks to enjoying a fruitful spell at the Etihad Stadium during his playing career, making 360 appearances and lifting silverware on 12 occasions, resulting in him remaining on the hierarchy’s radar despite being unable to keep Burnley in the Premier League.

Although Kompany appears to be on his way to Germany, with Bayern looking to reach a compromise despite his current employers seeking a compensation package worth in the region of £17million, Manchester City will continue keeping tabs ahead of potentially offering a route back to familiar surroundings.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Vincent Kompany has been defeated on all three occasions he has come up against Manchester City during the early stages of his managerial career, conceding 12 goals along the way

Guardiola Uncertainty Resulting in Contingency Plans
Spaniard raising doubts over whether he will stay in current role

GMS sources have been told that it is unclear whether Guardiola will be open to penning a contract extension to remain in charge of Manchester City beyond the end of the fast-approaching 2024/25 campaign, resulting in key figures behind the scenes being forced to make contingency plans.

Although there is a general belief that the former Barcelona head coach will remain at the helm for one more year, allowing him to see out the remainder of his current agreement, the possibility of him committing his long-term future to the club as he looks to make further history at the Etihad Stadium cannot be ruled out at this stage.

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Kompany, who has been described as ‘exceptional’ by Guardiola after playing under him during the latter stages of his career, is understood to be among the names on Manchester City’s radar as they have been made aware that they could be forced into seeking a fresh face in the dugout sooner rather than later.

But the 38-year-old will be under no illusions that replacing the current Sky Blues chief, who has been ranked as the best manager in the world by GMS, will be a difficult challenge after a period which has seen the club become a dominant force and winning trophies on a regular basis.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danny Rust • Contributing Editor
Having graduated with First Class Honours at the University of Kent’s Centre for Journalism in 2016, Danny has held positions in the industry for close to a decade.

Danny has worked for local newspapers, single-handedly covering more than 30 non-league clubs for the Essex Echo and its sister newspapers. Prior to that, he also had articles published in Millwall and Dagenham & Redbridge’s programmes, along with overseas content for The Portugal News.

Having been KMTV’s first Freelance Video Sports Journalist while still at university, meaning he has experience in broadcast journalism, Danny first joined Snack Media in July 2021. He has worked on the transfer news team, producing stories on Premier League sides and top-performing clubs in the Scottish Premiership and the Championship.

Danny has covered matches at some of the biggest arenas, including Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. His other interests include cricket, baseball and the NFL.

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Man City could target £100m ‘exceptional’ Pep favourite after Paqueta transfer blow

Suraj Radia
Updated: 23 May 2024 18:12 BST
3 min read

© IMAGO
Lucas Paqueta could face a significant ban after being charged by the FA for betting offences in a move which could have major implications on Manchester City’s summer but also Newcastle’s.

Paqueta has been a long-term target for City but the Premier League champions were waiting until the FA had finished investigating the West Ham star, having looked into potential breaches last summer.

Article continues under the video
Although Paqueta has responded by claiming his innocence and insisting he will fight the charges, the Brazilian has been accused of getting booked intentionally on multiple occasions, which could even result in a lifetime ban.

READ MORE: Lucas Paqueta puts City transfer plans into jeopardy

City had agreed to sign Paqueta for more than €80 million last year but the move fell apart after the revelations and they were hoping for a positive outcome in order to resurrect the transfer this summer.

However, the charges mean that City are unlikely to pursue their interest and could move onto other targets, such as Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes.

Guimaraes has a release clause of £100m (€117.4m) which is valid for the month of June and City boss Pep Guardiola has been a long-time admirer of the 26-year-old, meaning a transfer could accelerate in the coming weeks.

© IMAGO – Bruno Guimaraes recently signed a new contract with Newcastle with a release clause.
’Exceptional’ Guimaraes likely to be a target of Guardiola
Guimaraes has established himself as one of the standout performers in the Premier League since joining Newcastle for €42m in January 2022, providing 16 goals and 14 assists from defensive midfield in that time.

No player in the Premier League won more ground duels than the Brazilian last season (268) and he also covered more ground than anyone else, leading to interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona as well as City.

STATS

Bruno Guimarães
DM (CL), M (C)

Newcastle Utd.

PREMIER LEAGUE

2023/24

37
GAMES

7
GOALS

8
ASSISTS

View all stats
Newcastle would demand Guimaraes’ release clause in full and have no intention of negotiating to sell their star man after it expires in June, while the player himself has continued to stress his desire to remain at St James’ Park.

READ MORE: Man City’s 10 most expensive transfers of all time

However, the player has been called ‘exceptional’ by Guardiola and is believed to be high on City’s shortlist, particularly due to the appealing release clause.

With no other teams likely to have the means to meet Guimaraes’ release clause, the Magpies favourite may be faced with a tough decision if City make their move, with Paqueta likely to live in regret as he fights to prove his innocence in the coming months.

Read more about: Premier League, Barcelona, Man City, Newcastle Utd., PSG, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta

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