"In the big clubs like [Manchester] United and [Manchester] City, when you don't win you are always in trouble," explained Pep Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
"That's not a secret. I have a huge respect for his [Erik ten Hag] job in the past, and now in United.
"I completely agree when I listen to him say they have not had a full squad -- lots of injuries.
"They have a lot of problems and when that happens the manager suffers a lot because the squad is really good.
"The problem when you are injured you cannot use them and this a big, big disadvantage."
Guardiola, who won the Premier League for the fourth time in a row, continued: "United is always United.
"Of course in the Premier League, we have been better than them, we are more consistent than them.
"But one game, especially United this season against top six, important games, (they) always perform well so we spoke, the players feel it, the players know it -- that will be a completely different game."
The two sides face each other at Wembley on Saturday in a much-awaited FA Cup final. Man City beat Man United to the trophy last season; they certainly have the power to defend it.
However, Ten Hag is set to be sacked after the final this weekend - even if Man United win. That raises the stakes for Man United, who have had a season from hell as they finished eighth in the Premier League.
