Ten Hag confirms centre-back’s absence for FA Cup final

Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United defender Harry Maguire will miss this weekend’s FA Cup final at Wembley.

Maguire has not featured for Manchester United since April 27th but was this week named in the England squad for Euro 2024, raising hopes that he was closing in on a first-team return.



 

However, Ten Hag has said the 31-year-old is unavailable for the clash with Manchester City this weekend, leaving the Red Devils short of defensive options.

“Harry Maguire [is] unavailable. Tomorrow we will make final decisions. It’s just he didn’t heal as expected,” Ten Hag said at his pre-match press conference.

Casemiro has deputised at centre-back in recent fixtures, while Lisandro Martinez has returned to action of late and started the Premier League final-day win at Brighton.

The Argentine has missed much of the campaign and it remains to be seen whether who Ten Hag partners in central defence, as United look to salvage their season with silverware success.

“It’s all about trophies,” the Dutchman said ahead of the game.

“We have a huge opportunity to win a trophy. In the last 10 years there has not been so many trophies at the club but we have the opportunity to win two in two years.”



 

It is the second successive FA Cup final between the Manchester rivals, with Ilkay Gundogan scoring twice as Manchester City earned a 2-1 win in 2022-23.

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