Erik ten Hag disregards the idea of Man Utd's motivation to prevent Man City from achieving treble

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has claimed that he and his players are not driven by stopping their rivals Manchester City from winning the treble ahead of the FA Cup final on Saturday. The Red Devils will face the Citizens at Wembley in the last game of the domestic season, looking to add a second trophy to their 2022/23 haul. Meanwhile, Man City are one-third of the way to achieving the treble, which was last done by the Man Utd side in the 1998/99 season. Ten Hag says that retaining that feat would be significant for the supporters, but it is not giving him or his squad any extra motivation.

Ten Hag said, "I know what the fans are thinking. But what we want is to restore Manchester United by winning trophies. So on Saturday we have an opportunity to win a trophy and we don't want to be distracted by anything. If it is important for the fans, it is important for us, so we will give everything to win the cup. It will not give more motivation for the team because their motivation is already enough - it can't be more. They want to win a cup and they have an opportunity. They want to set a crown on the season."

Ten Hag was also asked if he wants to prove that Man Utd can defeat Man City without any fortune. In the recent derby in January, the Red Devils had won 2-1 at Old Trafford but not without some controversy. Ten Hag claimed that Man Utd deserved to win that day anyway, without their luck playing a huge role.

"I wouldn't explain it in that way [that Man Utd needed fortune] because I have also seen the xG [expected goals] from that game and it was really [for] our side. No [fortune], as I say," replied Ten Hag.

Listen to the latest Man Utd news, transfer rumors & gossip on The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, presented by Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette, as they preview the FA Cup final.