Pep Guardiola said winning the FA Cup would still be significant for Manchester City, even if victory in Saturday’s final will not mask a disappointing season by their own high standards. 

City were deposed as Premier League champions by Liverpool for the first time in five years and are facing a first trophy-less season since Guardiola’s debut campaign in 2016-17 if they do not beat Crystal Palace in this weekend’s showpiece match at Wembley Stadium, London.