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Manchester United have the chance to end a six-year wait when they take on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley today.
Not many would have seen such a quick turnaround for a team that looked down the dumps last season under interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Manager Erik ten Hag deserves a lot of credit for turning the team’s fortunes around, but not all players have been equally lucky.
Maguire’s fortune has declined under ETH
While the likes of Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot have found a new lease on life with the Dutchman, club captain Harry Maguire’s shares have fallen rapidly.
He is currently fifth choice at the club with left-back Luke Shaw preferred over the £80m man. Maguire has started just nine times this campaign, making just two Carabao Cup starts.
But the England international has held onto the role of a professional even when playing and has decided he won’t lift the trophy only if the Red Devils come out on top.
Harry Maguire is understood to have planned to lift the trophy along with Fernandes if United win, to honor the fact that the Portuguese star has captained the team more than he has this season and has featured more in the run to the final. [@DiscoMirror] pic.twitter.com/sBU3RC44mz
– United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) February 26, 2023
Bruno Fernandes has been captain in most games since Maguire’s absence and the centre-back wants to recognize the important role of the Portuguese.
Fernandes has started all five of United’s games in the Carabao Cup en route to the final and is also expected to start on Sunday with Maguire content with a place on the bench.
Maguire will not lift the trophy alone
According to The Daily Mirror, “Maguire is understood to have planned to lift the trophy along with Fernandes if United win, to honor the fact that the Portuguese star has captained the team more than he has this season and has had more of a presence in the run to victory.” final. ”
United, currently on their worst trophyless run in four decades, last won a trophy in 2017 when they won the 2017 Europa League under former boss José Mourinho.
They also reached the 2018 FA Cup Final under Mourinho, but lost to Chelsea.
Later manager and club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also had a chance at trophies, but the Reds were defeated in a penalty shootout by Villarreal in the 2021 Europa League final.
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