Manchester City midfielder Rodri expects Manchester United to be “dangerous” as Erik ten Hag’s side seek revenge in a second consecutive FA Cup final on Saturday.
Ilkay Gundogan scored twice – including the fastest goal of the game, after 13 seconds – as City beat United 2-1 in last season’s final to win the competition for the seventh time.
“I remember Gundo scoring that goal at the beginning of last season, which gave us wings,” said Rodri on City’s website. “It was a good way to start the final but, in the end, we saw how difficult it is. It was very close.
“It will always be special when we face Man United in the final – for the people, the city, the atmosphere. We need to be at a high level because we know that they have struggled a bit in the table and that is not the case [challenging] there, but in the finals they will be dangerous.”
“Every final is special” 💬
Our Spanish midfielder shares his thoughts before the rest #FACup last time 💪 pic.twitter.com/2C9GrdxUxT
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 23, 2024
While City wrapped up the Premier League title on the final day of the campaign on Sunday, United ended a poor season by finishing 31 points behind them in eighth place.
United will enter the Uefa Europa League if they record a win against the underdog but miss out on going to Europe altogether if they lose.
They have lost six of their last seven games between their biggest rivals, including a 3-0 home defeat and a 3-1 away defeat this senior season.
Man City ‘expect the best’ for Man United
“We will expect the best version of Man United and we will need our best version to beat them,” said Rodri.
“The boys have shown that they are ready for every challenge – especially when we are talking about the final.”
The Spaniard scored one goal in the game as City beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final a week after winning the FA Cup last season.
Having been knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals this time around, Pep Guardiola’s men are aiming to do the double for the second season in a row by defeating United.
The Red Devils have not won the competition since beating Crystal Palace after extra time at Wembley Stadium in 2015/16, although it is their third final since then.
