Harry Maguire hails ‘demanding’ Erik ten Hag ahead of Carabao Cup final

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.”

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