Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been ruled out of Saturday’s (May 25) FA Cup final against arch-rivals Manchester City as he struggles with a muscle issue. Maguire, who will be part of England’s Euro 2024 squad will now look to be fit for the summer’s big event with his club season over. With Maguire missing, United will have a big problem to fill in the shoes in center back region with Lisandro Martinez not yet at 100 percent fitness and Raphael Varane already opting to stay out.
Maguire out for United
“Maguire is unavailable. He didn’t make it. He hasn’t healed as we expected,” Ten Hag said in the pre-match press conference.
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“All the players mentioned (Lindelof, Mount and Martial), are I think all available, Ten Hag added. Tomorrow final training and then we will make final decisions but if I oversee it now it looks good.”
The Red Devils will miss the services of their former captain in Saturday’s match which could be a decider for manager Erik ten Hag in terms of his future with the club.
United ended the Premier League with their worst finish in eighth and will miss out on Europe completely if they fail to win Saturday’s match. As things stand, only a win in the FA Cup final will see United qualify for the Europa League with their league form not good enough.
The clash against City will be a repeat of the 2023 FA Cup final where United lost to City in a one-sided contest. For Ten Hag this will be his third Cup final with the side and could be decisive as he faces an uncertain future.
A defeat on Saturday could be the end of the spell for Ten Hag with big names already linked with the job.
As things stand, the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Hansi Flick are the available options. Interestingly, the last time United won the FA Cup they sacked their manager Louis van Gaal back in 2016.
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