Pep Guardiola defended Manchester City's trophyless campaign by pointing out they could be one of the English teams to play in the Champions League after winning silverware.

City have endured a disappointing campaign, having failed to win any of the four major trophies for the first time since Guardiola's first campaign in 2016-17.

They currently sit 18 points behind Liverpool, who have already wrapped up the Premier League title, in the league after winning the previous four seasons, and were knocked out of the Champions League and EFL Cup early on.

City were also stunned in the FA Cup final on Saturday as Crystal Palace beat them 1-0 to claim their first-ever major trophy.

They have now lost the FA Cup final two years in a row (also to Manchester United in 2024). It is the seventh time they have finished as runners-up in the competition, with only the Red Devils (nine), Chelsea and Everton (both eight) doing so more.

Guardiola's side did, however, win the Community Shield back in August, beating United 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

City are yet to qualify for Europe's top competition next season, but Guardiola noted that they could be among those to have lifted a trophy this season if they do.

"Of course, it's important to qualify, but except for Newcastle, who won the Carabao Cup, Liverpool won the Premier League and Manchester City that won the Community Shield - the other teams didn't win trophies," Guardiola said.

"So, the other teams, like Chelsea, who can win one title [Europa Conference League] against Real Betis, and [Manchester] United and Tottenham can win the Europa League.

"All the other teams, they are expecting, of course, to qualify for the Champions League, but this is important for every club that play this in competition next year.

"We played a really good [FA Cup] final, not enough to win it, and we have the last two games, we need four points to be in the Champions League next year, and this is enough, and everyone has to be aware of that."

Liverpool and Arsenal have already clinched their Champions League qualification, with five teams still pushing to finish in the other three places.

City have dropped to sixth after results over the weekend, but a win over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday would move them up to third, one point above Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa with one game left to play.

The Opta supercomputer gives City an 85.7% chance of finishing in the top five this season, with their most likely finishing position third at 57.7%.