Man City players 'infuriated' FA Cup final opponents even before kick off

Manchester City players' discussions of an Ibiza holiday prior to the 2024 allegedly lit a fire under to win the spectacle last season. That's according to ex-United coach Benni McCarthy, who served as an assistant under from 2022 until last summer.

The Manchester derby was on the Wembley stage last season, with gunning for the opportunity to claim a and cup double.

It was also a chance for Ten Hag to earn a trophy for the second consecutive season at Old Trafford,

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While City were the overwhelming favourites, considering they recently celebrated an unprecedented fourth league title in a row while finishing 31 points ahead of their city rivals, a pre-match moment among Guardiola's men to complete the seemingly improbable task.

Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at the launch of Gaffer of all Accas earlier this year, McCarthy said: "When we went to walk and inspect the pitch, at that moment, the disrespect from the City players kind of played a huge part.

"You know, when you stand there and you see the players, all little groups of friends here and there, the players are out on the pitch and soaking up the atmosphere. When we walked back towards the dressing room, a lot of the City players were discussing their trips to Ibiza after the game.

"So in their heads, they've already won the and they're already thinking about going to Ibiza and that. I think that kind of infuriated our boys because, mate, we'd got a final to win.

"We have a final to play, and you lot are talking about your after-party! Almost like in terms of they've already won it, and they are preparing the celebrations for it like they're playing against no opposition. When we got into the dressing room, the players were like, 'These lot are disrespecting us'.

"So then they, amongst themselves, had a little huddle, and in the huddle they were going at it about the disrespect, you know. I think that's probably what we needed at that time. It just brought the furious side out of us."

A year later, City find themselves in their third FA Cup final in a row on Saturday with standing in their way of ending what has been a disappointing season with a trophy.

Despite a dismal campaign for United, who are resigned to finishing no higher than 13th this season, they can also claim silverware as they take on in the final on Wednesday.

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