A Manchester derby FA Cup final: Guardiola's treble ambitions meet Ten Hag's revitalised United

Pep Guardiola believes stopping Manchester City from winning the treble could give Manchester United extra motivation in the FA Cup final.

The two neighbouring rivals clash in the Wembley Stadium showpiece for the first time on Saturday with more than a trophy and local bragging rights at stake.

For Premier League winners, City victory could be the second leg of a potentially glorious treble, with the Champions League final coming next week.

On the other hand, United will be anxious to stop them and protect their place in history as the only side to have won all three of those competitions in the same season, back in 1999.

City manager Guardiola said: "I could understand that. It belongs to them; that’s normal. Sport is like that.

"'That belongs to us – we don't want anyone else to do it,' it's normal, that feeling. It's completely understandable. But it's a football game, who will be better will win."

However, United boss Erik Ten Hag has played down the party-pooping aspect of his side's task.

The Dutchman has enjoyed an encouraging first season at Old Trafford, having won the Carabao Cup and reclaimed a Champions League spot.

"I know what is the thinking from the fans," Ten Hag said.

"But what we want is to restore Manchester United by winning trophies. We have an opportunity to win a trophy, and we don't want to be distracted by anything.

"If it's important for the fans, then it's important for us, so we will give everything to win the cup."

Guardiola insists the treble is separate from his thinking. He has spent the week preparing to face United and will switch focus to playing Inter Milan in Istanbul next week.

"We didn't speak once about Inter these days," he said. "We'll have Sunday off, and after, we'll have three- or