Pep Guardiola sympathised with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and said injuries have contributed to the club’s poor form this season.
Both Manchester clubs meet in the 143rd FA Cup final tomorrow in a repeat of last year’s final, in which City ran out 2-1 winners.
City go into the game off the back of winning a record fourth consecutive Premier League title and will be aiming to make it a league and cup double with a win over United.
Ten Hag’s side have endured a miserable campaign, finishing a record-low eighth place in the Premier League and a whopping 31 points behind champions City.
The Dutchman enters Saturday’s final with uncertainty surrounding his future at the club.
Ten Hag has cited United’s torrid injury issues as a reason for their struggles on several occasions this season and that view is shared by Guardiola.
“In big clubs like United, City, when you don’t win always you are in trouble,” he said.
“I would be in trouble if we didn’t win. He has done many good things; I have huge respect for his job in the past and now at United I completely agree when I listen to him when he says they have not had a full squad this season and had a lot of injuries.
“I think this is the most important thing they have to think about because I am always focused that we have to be fit, fit, fit – otherwise we cannot use the players.
“They had a lot of problems and when that happens the manager suffers a lot. The squad is really good but the problem is when you cannot use them. This is a big disadvantage.”
