Manchester City

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Manchester City's decision to withdraw from the race to land Florian Wirtz should also be viewed as a commitment to Phil Foden's role in Pep Guardiola's plans.

Foden has long been seen as the long-term heir to outgoing creator De Bruyne and the addition of Wirtz may have put the Englishman's place in Guardiola's plans in question.

But, as things stand, Wirtz is not expected to arrive.

City will remain in the market for a new creative midfielder - with Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White among the options.

Read the full story

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Bournemouth (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Guardiola said some of the injured players "are better" but no decision has been made yet on whether any could be available for the final two games. He added: "Rodri is getting better day-by-day. We will see."

• On losing the FA Cup final: "We played a really good final but not enough to win it. I haven't watched that game [back].I am focusing on Bournemouth. I don't have much time to watch - maybe tonight I will review and tomorrow show to the players."

• He says "everyone has to be aware" that City need "to get at least four points" to qualify for the Champions League and "if we are not there then we don't deserve it and will be in the Europa League".

• On whether he has thought about not qualifying: "I am thinking we are going to qualify. My thoughts and the way I think - I think that. We need four points. That is the main target. I am absolutely [confident of qualifying]."

• He "absolutely" sees Bournemouth as a success story of this season' and added: "Big impact at the end of last season and then this season. They are a really, really good team."

• On who would take a penalty should City be awarded one on Tuesday, after Omar Marmoush failed to score in the final: "I didn't talk with them. We train this afternoon. The taker is who scores the goal."

• In response to whether Kevin de Bruyne will start for his final game at the Etihad: "Kevin will get what he deserves, and what he deserves is the best moment and the best compliment for his incredible trajectory. What he has done along with some incredible other legends in this club will not be possible in the 10 to 15 years since Sheik Mansour took over the club and run this club to reach another level."

Follow all of Monday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Bournemouth have had more shot-ending high turnovers than any other side in the Premier League this season (65). However, Manchester City have faced fewer shots from high turnovers than any other side in the competition this term (28).

City have scored 13 goals from outside the box in the Premier League this season, more than any other side. However, the Cherries have conceded just two goals from distance, fewer than anyone else.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Just three days on from the shock FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace, Manchester City have a quick turnaround hosting Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday (20:00 BST).

Boss Pep Guardiola has already complained about the timing of the game and his mood won't be improving as they go into the game under huge pressure.

Results over the weekend mean City have dropped to sixth in the table and a fascinating race has developed for the top five, with just one point separating five teams.

Has Guardiola had an opportunity to process the loss at Wembley? How vital is the game against the Cherries now? Is there any chance of Rodri being in contention to play?

We'll find out when the Spaniard faces the media later on.

Come back to this page later on Monday for all the key lines from Guardiola

Match of the Day 2 pundits have been having their say on the race for the Champions League.

Danny Murphy expects Newcastle to be "fine", adding: "At home to Everton, I would say so with those fans behind them.

"Manchester City have got it all in their own hands with that extra game. Bournemouth and Fulham - not easy games but I'd tip them as well.

"If you look around the dressing room and you look at the manager, they're just the best in their class. If they don't have the resilience and fortitude to get through those games then there is a real question mark. They should beat Bournemouth and Fulham nine out of 10 times when they need to."

"That Chelsea-Forest game next week is the pick of the bunch. That's going to be one hell of an atmosphere down there."

Martin Keown said: "I think Forest have been magnificent this year - a breath of fresh air to see how they've performed. It's looking tough for them right now. They just had a little blip at the wrong time but they can't have any regrets to the way they've played this season.

"I think Man City will have enough to get there and so will Aston Villa as well."

Which way will it go? Read more and hear from the managers

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We asked for you to tell us what needs doing at Manchester City to get the club back to winning ways next season.

Here are some of your suggestions:

Harvey: With the new system that Pep is playing, the team needs to rebuild with players who can play in it. A new full-back is desperately needed with them currently being given more licence to roam forward. Andrea Cambiaso, who can play on either side, would be a great addition. We also need to replace Kevin de Bruyne - and Florian Wirtz would be a great option.

Mu: It's quite obvious to say that we need fresh faces in the squad. There are many players that are either past it or just generally need a new challenge. Hunger isn't there as before. What actually needs addressing just as much is how we play and set up. To put it simply, it isn't effective anymore. We've been found out. Time will tell what Pep will do to make this team tick again.

Andrew: A lot of unnecessary noise about spending a lot of money - we have great academy output, supplemented by buying young players to develop with Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Claudio Echevarri a case in point. A couple more under-21 players would be well worth it, plus buy back some ex academy with Trafford top of the list. Sell Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker for sure. Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones and Manuel Akanji can stay if they are robustly fit.

Adam: The heart of the midfield has no legs anymore, especially without Rodri. They're easy to bypass and more athletic teams run rings around us. They can't pressure in groups effectively, which was the core of City's off-the-ball tactics.

It's time to reflect on specific elements from Wembley.

Manchester City fans, the likes of Micah Richards are speaking about a "rebuild" being needed at the club. What's your take? What needs the most work?

Tell us

Crystal Palace fans, now that it's sinking in, can you tell us how you are feeling? And how does the club progress from here?

Drop BBC Sport a message

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Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards says "a rebuild" is needed if Pep Guardiola is to restore the club to its recent glories.

Defeat in Saturday's FA Cup final meant City will finish the campaign without a trophy.

It is the first time they have ended a season without major silverware since 2017.

"This season has been a massive disappointment for Manchester City," Richards explained.

"Pep Guardiola has talked about that throughout the season. The players have not met the levels they've set in recent years.

"For City, we are looking at a rebuild - it's obvious for everyone to see - although at times today they did really well.

"Man City have brought in the right players for the future, but because of where they have been in recent seasons, they needed ready-made players for right now."

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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This is the second year in a row Manchester City have lost the FA Cup final, after losing to Manchester United last season.

Pep Guardiola cut an irritated figure, appearing to exchange words with Dean Henderson after the final whistle.

City must now refocus quickly for Tuesday's Premier League game at home to Bournemouth, with work still to do to finish in the top five and qualify for next season's Champions League.

For a club so used to success, finishing without a trophy is bad enough. Failure to reach Europe's elite tournament would represent a catastrophe.

We asked for your thoughts after Manchester City fell to a shock defeat against Crystal Palace to miss out on claiming their eighth FA Cup at Wembley.

Here are some of your comments on the defeat:

Usama: An absolutely dreadful performance. No player stood up to the occasion, if anything they caved in. Palace are fully deserving of the trophy, even if Henderson should have been sent off. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if we fail to qualify for the Champions League. City's dynasty is well and truly over. The club has a lot of thinking to do in these next few months, as has Pep. Just changing personnel won't get us back to the top.

Martyn: Our game plan has been learned by all. Once the innovators, we are now sadly easy to read. The build-up play is painfully obvious and slow, probably time for a reinvention. Maybe we should do more attacking, rather than the 'watching paint dry' passing football I've watched this season.

Lewis: The manager has been wonderful but he's now out of ideas, imagination and tactics. Foden on the right-wing? Grealish never on the pitch? Crosses only from the byline with the Premier League's best at heading the ball in the box? I doubt if we will make the Champions League.

Alan: We are rebuilding, it will take time. Well played, the Eagles.

Lacey: Honestly embarrassing, especially considering Man City have been to three finals in the last three years. For Crystal Palace to beat us by just one goal is unacceptable. Our season hasn't been what it should've been. There is a very high standard set and it feels wrong that we're not winning this tournament against a team that we should've beaten. To see a ladder team beat a team that has so much more potential is an embarrassment.

Simon: Disappointing - too predictable, not enough creativity and not enough pace. What's the point of having a prolific centre forward and not giving him the opportunity to do what he does best?

Tony: Completely gutless. A spineless performance from a team of misfits. Haaland needs to keep his opinions to himself and get on with the job he is paid to do.

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Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been discussing Erling Haaland not taking Manchester City's penalty in their FA Cup final defeat on BBC One: "Erling Haaland is a world class forward but when we are talking about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there is no way they are giving that ball away.

"That is what separates them two players from Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe and all these other players.

"They are selfish and they want to score every game.

"When Haaland misses chances, I think you can see that it gets to him and that it does affect him.

"Maybe the thought of taking a penalty at Wembley might have been too much for him. You never know, he is a human being."

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Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva reacts to FA Cup final defeat on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was very disappointing for us.

"We played a tough team, we knew that before the game. They defend with a very low block and are very patient in the way they defend to prepare the counter.

"We missed an extra bit of quality in the final third to finish our actions. We had a penalty and three or four chances but they deserved it today. Well done to Crystal Palace."

On whether Dean Henderson should have been sent off: "I haven't watched it to be honest. I heard that he touched the ball with his hand but I would need to watch it to give my opinion."

On why Erling Haaland didn't take the penalty: "I don't know. Normally Erling [Haaland] is the taker but they decided Omar [Marmoush] take it. I wasn't in the decision so I'm not sure.

"Penalty misses can happen. That wasn't the main issue - of course it was important but we had other opportunities."

On Kevin de Bruyne after playing his last major final for Manchester City: "It was sad we couldn't win it for him. We wanted to give him this, he deserves it so it's a bit sad. I can't imagine achieving all this success without him.

"He is a good friend of mine, I'm sad to see him go. I hoped and wished he would stay longer but this is life. I wish him all the best."

Man City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC One after defeat in the FA Cup final: "We didn't score so congratulations to Crystal Palace for the victory - we did everything.

"Today, we were more aggressive. If you're not going to score goals, you're not going to win."

On the VAR decision to not send Dean Henderson off: "Ask the referee."

On clashing with Dean Henderson post match: "No, nothing."

On Erling Haaland giving Omar Marmoush the penalty: "I don't know, I didn't speak to them. They made a decision. They decide."

On Man City's performance: "They performed really well, much better than last season against Manchester United. Football sometimes is like this. At the end with Claudio Echeverri, we created a chance.

"We controlled really good in transitions.

"Yes, unfortunately we couldn't win, but congratulations Crystal Palace."

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Crystal Palace have won their first-ever major trophy. They are the first English club to win their first major title since Wigan Athletic in the 2012-13 FA Cup, who also beat Manchester City in the final that year.

The Eagles are the 45th side to win the FA Cup and first team to win it for the first time since Leicester City in 2021.

Daniel Munoz has been directly involved in 13 goals in all competitions for Crystal Palace this season. His six goals and seven assists are the joint-most of any Premier League defender in 2024-25 (Pedro Porro also has 13 direct involvements).

Manchester City have now lost the FA Cup final two years in a row. It is the seventh time they have finished as runners up in the competition, with only Manchester United (9), Chelsea (8) and Everton (8) doing so more times.

Pep Guardiola's side have lost 16 games in all competitions this season - their most in a single campaign since 2008-09 (23 games).

Manchester City enjoyed 76.7% possession in this match, the most on record (from 2014) in an FA Cup final. In fact, defender Ruben Dias completed more passes himself (129) than Crystal Palace did as an entire team (126).

This win qualifies Crystal Palace for next season's Europa League and it is set to be their first-ever appearance in a major European competition.

Were you at Wembley or following the FA Cup final from elsewhere?

Crystal Palace fans, try to sum up how you are feeling?

What's your take Manchester City fans?

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Former Premier League striker Wayne Rooney commenting on Dean Henderson's use of his hand outside the area in the first half: "It is a red card - 100% a red card.

"Erling Haaland is about to knock it around him and Dean Henderson sweeps the ball away.

"It is a red card - how can they get this wrong?"

Gary Lineker explained: "This is what VAR have said -'The direction in which Erling Haaland was going made it possible, but not an obvious goal scoring opportunity'."

Rooney replied: "Just get rid of VAR. They have made a mistake and now they are trying to cover up. It is a red card and everyone can see it's a red card. To come out with all this rubbish."

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