Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has become the latest player to sing Erik ten Hag’s praises following the Dutchman’s impressive first season in charge of the club.
Ten Hag endured a nightmare start to his tenure but United have recovered in stunning fashion and are still in all four competitions at the end of February.
United have the chance to win one of those competitions on Sunday when they face high-flying Newcastle United in the final of the Carabao Cup.
Speaking ahead of that mouthwatering game, Maguire has hailed his manager, admitting that his style has brought new ideas to the team.
“His ideas are different to a lot of what we’ve been used to, I must say. He was a defender as well,” Maguire told talkSPORT.
“This season, he has proven that it works and it has worked in the past as well. He has brought a philosophy and ideas on how he wants us to play.
“He’ll probably tell you that there is still a lot of improvement that we need to do. He’s so demanding in everything that he does and everything that he says.
“Whether it’s on the training pitch or whether you’re having a passing drill at the start and you miss a pass – he’s on you straight away and that’s the demands he sets. He wants high standards.”
Maguire is unlikely to start Sunday’s final as Ten Hag has already decided that Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are his first-choice centre-backs but should United end their six-year trophy drought, the former Leicester star will be the first Red to lift the trophy.
The 29-year-old has admitted that he is relishing the opportunity of winning a trophy for the side nearly four years after being signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“It’ll be an amazing moment for myself,” he said. “It’s a huge honour for a captain of this football club. A real privilege.
“Ever since I’ve been made captain it’s been a dream to lift my first trophy for this football club.
“It’s been a long process but like I said we’ve got a long way to go and it’s a big game and I’m not going to be thinking too much about it until the moment comes.”
Marcus Rashford echoes Erik ten Hag’s trophy message with determined Carabao Cup Final comments
Manchester United face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, with red-hot Marcus Rashford determined for silverware at Wembley to kick off a glorious new era for the club
Marcus Rashford says victory in tomorrow’s EFL Cup final can open the door to a return to the glory days for Manchester United.
United are aiming to end their six-year wait for silverware and secure a first trophy under Erik ten Hag when they take on Newcastle at Wembley. Rashford has endured false dawns at United before, winning the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League, only for the team to regress after those triumphs.
But under new boss Ten Hag, who has transformed United in his first season in charge, Rashford is convinced long-term success is on the horizon.
I think that’s the aim,” said Rashford. “It gives you that winning feeling and the belief you can go on and win more trophies. I think now we have it and it’s a good position to be in as a player, because you feel like your aims and objectives are reachable, so I’m pleased we’re in this position.
“When we played the first game of the EFL Cup, we didn’t want to get to the final and lose, we wanted to go and win the tournament. When we’ve done well in tournaments or an individual does well in a tournament and you don’t win it, it’s all for nothing.
“We want the performances we’ve had in the tournament so far to count for something and the only way to do that is to go on and win the trophy.”
Marcus Rashford is on the same page as his manager when it comes to United’s desire for trophies ( Image: Getty Images)
Rashford, who has a career-best 24 goals already this season, including 16 in his last 17 games, said failure to lift the trophy today is not an option for United.
“Every opportunity to step out onto the pitch is an opportunity to win and at this club you don’t settle for anything less,” said Rashford.
“When we lose games or draw games, it’s not good enough. A draw feels like a loss anyway. Every time we’re on the pitch, you’re trying to win. The most important game is always the next game. It’s all about the next one and keeping the momentum going.”
Source: strettynews.com; mirror.co.uk
