Pep Guardiola feels Manchester United will pose a bigger threat in the FA Cup final because their Treble legacy under threat.
Guardiola’s Manchester City take on local rivals United at Wembley, looking to complete the second leg of their own Treble to match their neighbours before next weekend's Champions League final.
United remain the only team in history to achieve the feat - back in 1999 under former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Guardiola reckons Erik ten Hag's side will be so desperate to preserve United’s place in history that it will make it even tougher for City to beat them.
“I didn't speak with Bruno Fernandes and company to know exactly the reason why it means more to them,” said Guardiola.
"Or the emotional reason why they are going to play the final. But I could understand it, because it (the Treble) belongs to them. That's normal. Sport is like that. Records will be broken.
"It belongs to them. They don’t want anyone else to do it. So it's normal, that feeling. It's completely understandable."
Guardiola said he is so focused on beating United that he has banned any talk of the Champions League final against Inter Milan next weekend.
The City boss added: "We didn't speak once about Inter. United deserve our full attention and commitment and the players are aware of that. It's a football game and everything can happen. But we will do everything to beat United."
Meanwhile, Guardiola has confirmed back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start at Wembley. City boss Guardiola has shown loyalty to Ortega - who has played in every round of the competition this season - by sticking with him instead of No.1 Ederson.
Despite there being so much at stake for City, Guardiola feels it is the right decision to stick with German Ortega and does not see it as a risky strategy.
Guardiola said: "Stefan's going to play, yeah. It's always like that, even in Barcelona, the keeper who has played in the FA Cup will start."
Guardiola's loyalty towards his Cup keepers backfired last season when a blunder from No.2 Zack Steffen gifted Liverpool a goal in the FA Cup semi final.
