Pep Guardiola has responded to backlash from Man City fans after he criticised the low attendance for the FA Cup win over Fulham.
City ran out 4-0 victors over the Championship side on Sunday in front of 39,223 fans inside the Etihad Stadium.
The attendance was the third-highest of the round, but Guardiola still remarked: "Today was not full - I don't know why."
Guardiola added that he hoped more supporters would be present for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against neighbouring rivals Man Utd on Wednesday.
His comments were met with opposition from City fans, with suggestions Guardiola was 'not in touch' with the financial burden on fans.
"Never was it my intention to offend them, they are part of us," Guardiola has said since. "I want to see the Etihad full, with people enjoying the games together. But of course I understand it’s difficult for the people."
City often average around 55,000 fans each Premier League game, with slightly less attending Champions League fixtures.
General secretary of the clubs official fans' group, Kevin Parker, was angered by Guardiola's comments.
He told the Mail: "I was disappointed and don’t see what Pep is trying to achieve. He’s playing into the hands of the “Emptyhad” critics. It really peeves me.
"We feel unjustifiably criticised by other clubs, so for our manager to have a go at us as well makes it worse. I’d suggest he’s not in touch with the financial reality facing football fans.
"Pep has to accept that this is a working class group of supporters who spend a lot of their money on football, so stop beating us up about it."
City will play the next round of their FA Cup campaign away from home after being drawn against Sheffield Wednesday in Monday's draw.
The fifth round tie is scheduled to be played at Hillsborough on March 5.
