Pep Guardiola feels sorry for Erik ten Hag ahead of Manchester United sack

Pep Guardiola has explained his sorrow for Erik ten Hag and his injury crisis amid claims Manchester United will sack him after Saturday afternoon.

For the second consecutive season, Manchester United and Manchester City will meet in the FA Cup final, with City arriving as the newly crowned Premier League champions.

This time, however, United’s season has been markedly different. The club has struggled across all competitions, making the FA Cup their last opportunity to claim a trophy and secure European qualification.

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Last season, City emerged victorious with İlkay Gündoğan scoring twice, surpassing Bruno Fernandes’ first-half penalty. this time around, Ten Hag will be looking for revenge in what may well be his last game for United.

Ahead of the game, City manager Pep Guardiola explained that he feels great sympathy for Ten Hag and the injury crisis that he has dealt with over the last ten months.

“So, in big clubs like United and City, when you don’t win, you are always in trouble. It is not a secret,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday afternoon. “We have done what we have done but I would be in trouble if we didn’t win.

“I have a huge respect for his jobs in the past and now with United. I completely agree when I listen to him, and he says they were not a full squad; they did not have all the squad ready all season. They had a lot of injuries.

“They should think of the reason why. Even in my case, I am focused on that. You have to be fit, fit, fit; otherwise, you cannot use the players.

“They have a lot of problems, and when that happens, the manager suffers a lot. I think the squad is really good, but the problem when they are injured is you cannot use them, and this is a big disadvantage.”

Meanwhile, The Guardian reported that the club has decided to sack Ten Hag after the result. It is said that the decision will be made regardless of whether the club wins the final.