Pep Guardiola joked that Manchester United fans should not be scared of Manchester City emulating their team by claiming the treble because of their neighbourly spirit.
The champions beat Sheffield United 3-0 at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final courtesy of a Riyad Mahrez hat-trick, the first at this stage for 65 years. In the 3 June showpiece City will meet the victor of Sunday’s semi-final between Manchester United and Brighton. If Guardiola’s side win the final and all of their remaining Premier League matches, beat Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final and whoever of Milan and Internazionale reaches the final, they will become only the second side to claim the treble.
United were the first in 1999. It was put to Guardiola that United supporters are fearful of City matching the achievement. “They don’t have to be scared, we are neighbours, neighbours are always nice to each other,” Guardiola said.
“I said yesterday we are far away from the treble and this discussion for a funny moment is OK. The reality, I said many times, the most impressive thing for this club, from the hierarchy to the backroom staff is that after many years, six years, winning titles and titles, we are still there [competing]. I love to be here and work with this club.
“One year you can do it – I don’t want to win one Champions League and after be in the bottom. The Champions League [can] destroy projects when you win or lose [but] this club is quite stable. With seven weeks left, we are still fighting for titles – this is the most important trophy we can get. Thank you so much to the [players] – the last three years, the worst performances we have done in the FA Cup is the semis.
“Today a lot of people from Manchester travelled here so we have to perform well. Win or lose, [we] perform how we should and, in the first minute of the warm-up and before in the locker room, we were there.”
Guardiola also praised Mahrez’s simple joy while playing. “Riyad plays well in every game, also in decisive games. He loves to play football,” he said. “He’s a big fan, an amateur spirit. Not a guy who has a contract, has to do his job, thinks how many hours I have to train, do my job and go home. Completely the opposite. He loves to be in contact with the ball. That’s why he’s upset [not] to play because he wants to play. I know I lost the battle to make him understand how important he is to the group [even when not playing].”
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Paul Heckingbottom, the Sheffield United manager, stated he was proud but disappointed. “We wanted to win,” he said.
