‘My mistake’ - Pep Guardiola accepts blame after Man City FA Cup final loss to Man Utd

Pep Guardiola took responsibility for Manchester City’s FA Cup final defeat against Manchester United.

The Premier League champions came into the game on the back of a unbeaten run of 35 matches, and closed the league season with nine straight wins, but were far from their best at Wembley. City looked disjointed for long periods of the game, particularly in the first half, and lacked an their usual oppressive hold.

Guardiola made a double change at the break, an indication of how sluggish City were. After the introductions of Manuel Akanji and Jeremy Doku, City were much better. The latter got on the scoresheet, but was enough to overturn United’s first-half strikes from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie.

Speaking after the game, Guardiola said it was his tactical approach that cost the side, not the performance of his players. “I think my game plan was not good,” claimed the Catalan. 

“The second half was much much better. We were more intense, in part because we were 2-0 down and had nothing to lose. It was a tight game.

“We gave away the first goal, they made a good transition for the second so credit to United for the second goal. We tried; we had clear chances in the second half which wasn't easy because they had man marking and defended the pockets. We had the chances and unfortunately we scored a goal a little bit late.

“Maybe it could have been different but the team was there like all the time when we lose. Disappointed today, it's normal teams can lose finals but this season has been extraordinary fighting for all the trophies in a good way.

“For my decisions we were not in the right positions to attack them,” he added. “My mistake, my game plan was not good.

“I was not good today,” he added. “You plan a game for different positions but it didn't work. Even with that, we arrive two or three times in the final third and byline and made nothing from crosses.

“They made one goal from one shot and the goal from Mainoo and no more than that. Always when we play against United, we have the control and we created in the second half but we were not able to do it.”