31 points, Guardiola contract, Ten Hag sacked - Man City and United have never been further apart

Pep Guardiola knew the figure off by heart. 31 points. Without a beat.

"People think it's going to happen because we finished 31 points in front of United, so people say it will be easy. I understand that," Guardiola said on Friday. "But it's a different competition, one game. It can be 10 against 11, bad decisions, mistakes, whatever and you can lose a game.

"We know we can lose a game. In long periods we have been better than United these past years, it's obvious. It's facts – every game we are there. But in one game, anything can happen."

ALSO READ: Man City coach Pep Guardiola gives verdict on Manchester United season and Erik ten Hag

ALSO READ: Kyle Walker addresses Man City future and sets new Premier League target

The Manchester City manager was speaking like he would ahead of an FA Cup third round tie against a side from a lower division, rather than a final against their biggest rivals. Guardiola stressed United's strengths on multiple occasions on Friday, keen to ensure no complacency crept into his squad after winning another Premier League title last week.

City eased to two derby wins this season (despite Marcus Rashford's rocket at the Etihad), to follow on from the cup final win last season. City extended their long record of finishing ahead of United this term, a record 31 points after they won a fourth Premier League title in a row. United finished eighth.

When Erik ten Hag leads his team out at Wembley on Saturday, it could well be his final game in charge of United after a difficult two years. One report on Friday suggested United have already made the decision to sack him regardless of the cup final result - MEN Sport reported that United sources have reiterated their focus is on Saturday's final