Pundit Scott Minto spoke of his surprise about one thing Manchester City did just before the FA Cup final against Manchester United last weekend.
Pep Guardiola‘s side could not round off the season in style on Saturday, as they crashed to a 2-1 defeat to their bitter rivals at Wembley Stadium.
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored goals in the first-half to stun City, who then had to try and breach a stubborn defence in the second-half.
Jeremy Doku – who was City’s standout player – did pull one back late on. But it was too little, too late and United held out for the win.
It was a strangely poor display from City, who had sealed the Premier League title only the weekend before. Kyle Walker rejected the notion that the celebrations had a negative impact on the squad.
But Scott Minto has pointed to something else which meant City were perhaps not quite as prepared as they could have been…
Scott Minto says Manchester City only warming up for 15 minutes before the FA Cup final was ‘a bit strange’
There has been rather a big inquest since City lost the FA Cup final.
It was certainly a shock result, considering the poor season United had and how City have generally gotten the better of United in head-to-heads recently.
City were certainly way off their usual high standards, and former Premier League defender Minto believes their pre-match warm-up probably didn’t do them any favours. The pundit said on talkSPORT on Monday: “I’m pretty sure they would have enjoyed themselves (celebrating the Premier League title).
“I think they would have switched off mentally for a couple of days, physically as well.
“I thought it was a bit strange them only having 15 minutes to warm up. But I don’t think that necessarily affected the game as such. I just think there was those little one or two percenters that weren’t quite there.
“I’m pretty sure Pep will absolutely categorically deny there was any form of complacency. I just wonder if there was.”
Preparations might have been better
The warm-up only being 15 minutes long may not have been a factor behind City’s poor performance at Wembley.
But that combined with the Premier League title celebrations and the players not returning to training until Wednesday may well just have given United an edge they didn’t need to be given.
It is worth pointing out that City did get a little unlucky in the game, and that we may not be having these conversations had some things gone the other way.
City really threw the kitchen sink at United in the second-half and might have managed to get back on terms had the first goal come earlier.
But ultimately, it was what it was, and United annoyingly ran out deserved winners on the day.
