Pep Guardiola was among the Manchester City stars who cut dejected figures upon their arrivals back in Manchester following their FA Cup final defeat.
City – and Guardiola – will now go trophyless for the season after losing 1-0 against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon at Wembley, having also surrendered their Premier League title and exited all other cup competitions.
Going into the game as favourites, City failed to break down a resolute Palace defence, led by an impressive Dean Henderson, who made six saves in the game, including from Omar Marmoush’s penalty.
Guardiola was involved in a bust-up with Henderson after the full-time whistle at the national stadium, seen approaching the England goalkeeper and an expert lip-reader has revealed the details of the exchange.
Still, Guardiola credited Henderson and his team, and led his side back to Manchester in the late hours of Sunday night, as he was snapped arriving back in the City.
The City team flew back home on the evening of the game as Crystal Palace players celebrated in the capital, arriving back in Manchester just before 11pm before heading home.
Pep Guardiola (top right) cut a frustrated figure as he arrived back in Manchester with his City team after the FA Cup final
Phil Foden – who played 15 minutes at the end of the game – was seen driving home at around 11pm on Saturday
Erling Haaland was among the players to cut a glum figure as he headed for home after it was confirmed City would end the season trophyless
Seen arriving on a coach, Guardiola was papped at the front of the vehicle as he sat alone with his eyes closed.
The City entourage are understood to have flown from Luton on a Jet 2 budget charter before arriving late on Saturday night.
After landing, the majority of players drove themselves home, including Phil Foden and Erling Haaland.
Foden, who played the last 15 minutes of the game towards the end of what has been a difficult season for the England star, was seen driving away in his £200,000 Mercedes G Wagon.
The midfielder cut a tired figure as he wheeled away in the vehicle, which has light blue seats as a tribute to City.
Also among the players to depart was Erling Haaland, who has just returned from injury and drew a blank in the final.
City’s top scorer drew headlines when he passed on a penalty in the first half, having been his side’s regular penalty taker this season despite scoring just four of his seven efforts.
Omar Marmoush saw his spot kick saved by Henderson – the hero of the day – and his side failed to breach a resolute Palace defence.
Haaland raised eyebrows when he passed up the opportunity to take a penalty in the game
Guardiola, meanwhile, was involved in a confrontation with Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson
Haaland pulled away from Manchester Airport alongside the rest of his team, driving his £250,000 Maybach but trying to stay out of view.
The forward pulled down his sun visor – despite it being pitch black – and appeared glum as he headed for home.
But most of the eyes were on Guardiola, whose nightmare season came to a disappointing conclusion, leaving him food for thought over the summer and for what remains of this campaign.
At full time, the Spaniard confronted Henderson, leading to some fans theorising that the City boss was speaking about the potential red card incident. Expert lip-reader Jeremy Freeman, though, has now revealed the truth about what was really said in the exchange.
Guardiola approached the England goalkeeper as he was celebrating and said: ‘You didn’t deserve that. Disgrace.’
Henderson replied: ‘You still had your 10 minutes,’ in reference to the 10 minutes of additional time at the end of the game.
Henderson said ’10 minutes’ three times, while Guardiola also said: ‘It’s not fair play. You should not – it’s not fair.’
He was eventually pulled away from Henderson by Crystal Palace reserve goalkeeper Matt Turner.