Pep Guardiola reveals Manchester City’s back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will START the FA Cup final

Manchester City’s back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start tomorrow’s historic FA Cup final against rivals Manchester United.

Pep Guardiola confirmed that the German – who has started all domestic cup competitions so far this season – will be given the nod ahead of Ederson at Wembley.

Ortega signed on a free transfer from Arminia Bielefeld and impressed Guardiola during his 13 appearances, providing more competition than Zack Steffen before him.

The 30-year-old has kept 10 clean sheets this term, although his inclusion for the final represents a big call by the City boss after Steffen’s high-profile mistakes in last year’s semi-final defeat by Liverpool.

‘He’s going to play,’ Guardiola said. ‘I’ve always like that, even in Barcelona, the keeper who has played FA Cup plays [the final].’

Man City’s back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start tomorrow’s historic FA Cup final

He has kept 10 clean sheets this term, although his inclusion for the final represents a big call by the City boss after Steffen’s high-profile mistakes in last year’s semi-final defeat

Guardiola (above) echoed the message from Ruben Dias earlier in the week that City cannot allow their minds to drift on winning a potential treble

Guardiola echoed the message from Ruben Dias earlier in the week that City cannot allow their minds to drift on winning a potential treble, with the Champions League final against Inter next Saturday.

And the Catalan is wary of the threat an improving United pose, mindful of the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in January, and put that down to Erik ten Hag.

‘Thinking about titles, the second or third… we have to analyse the strength of our opponent, look at the weaknesses they have,’ Guardiola added.

‘Everything surrounding is normal, you cannot control it. It’s special for itself but the question what United have done for the past five months means they are a completely different team.

‘They were better when we lost but we played good. I have the feeling that they have improved, the playing patterns are more clear. We’ve done really, really well against them during my time but it’s United, the quality of player has always been there.

Jack Grealish and Kevin de Bruyne will also return to the squad for the final at Wembley 

Manchester City will be looking to take another important step in their pursuit of the treble 

‘I look at a manager on how his team improve. When you see a team better and better, in a league that is not easy, you identify a really good manager.

‘He represents our profession in the best way possible. I can’t say we are friends, we are not in touch much, but I think United have an exceptional manager for many, many years.’

Guardiola went to confirm the return of Jack Grealish and Kevin de Bruyne – saying they both trained well in the build-up to the cup final. 

He said: ‘They [Grealish and De Bruyne] trained well the last two training sessions. They are more or less fine.