Erik ten Hag is an optimistic manager. You have to be, to deal with the kind of injury troubles he his squad have dealt with this season.
Throughout the past fortnight, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has maintained hope that Harry Maguire would return from injury for the FA Cup.
Last week he told his press conference: “For the cup final, we’re working on [it]. I think Harry Maguire, I think it’s a fair chance that he will be available. We plan [for] him.”
Now, he has had to give up hope. Speaking ahead of the final, he admitted, “It didn’t heal as expected.”
Maguire will miss Manchester United’s showdown with Manchester City, the club’s last gasp attempt to win silverware and save the season.
Harry Maguire ‘gutted’
Harry Maguire had been a key part of Manchester United’s defence prior to his injury, starting in the semi-final win against Coventry City. At one point, he was the only fit centre-back.
In the end he broke down too, and while he has been named in the England squad for Euro 2024, he won’t be ready for the final at Wembley.
Maguire has responded, commenting via Instagram stories, expressing his sadness at missing out on the game.
He wrote: “Gutted I’ll be missing out on the final – I’d do anything to be available but now full focus on supporting the boys. Come on United!”
Maguire’s disappointment is heartfelt. He has been through so much over the past 12 months, and missing out on the final is a big blow, in a season where he has contributed a lot to the team.
Harry Maguire bad luck with Finals
Harry Maguire has had really bad luck with finals for Manchester United, and for England.
In summer 2021 he saw his England team lose the Euro 2020 final on penalties to Italy, despite narrowing his own spot-kick into the top corner.
That came just weeks after he had missed theEuropa League final for Manchester United in 2021, through injury. The team lost on penalties to Villarreal.
Last season Manchester United reached two finals. Harry Maguire was not selected to start either game.
This time around he had a big chance of starting, had he been fully fit. But he won’t be involved at all.
With this now the fourth final Manchester United have reached which Maguire won’t start, you have to wonder, whether it will ever happen for him.