EXCLUSIVE
Harry Maguire explains how Erik ten Hag has changed Manchester United as he relishes prospect of a potential first trophy ahead of Carabao Cup final
Harry Maguire has praised the impact Erik ten Hag has had at Manchester United despite a tough start to the season.
The 29-year-old has featured sparingly under the Dutchman this campaign, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez the preferred centre-back pairing.
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Maguire has started just five Premier League games this term ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle, which is live on talkSPORT.
United are hoping to win their first piece of silverware since 2017 and Maguire believes the manager’s desire to not let standards drop sets him apart from others.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the England international said: “His ideas are different to a lot of what we’ve been used to, I must say. He was a defender as well.
"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.
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“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.”
Bruno Fernandes has had the armband for much of the season due to Maguire being benched, but the defender is still the official club captain.
It is Maguire's second cup final with United after joining from Leicester in 2019, with the first being their defeat to Villarreal in the Europa League in 2021.
And the ex-Sheffield United star has declared winning his first major honour is something he is relishing.
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He remarked: “It’ll be an amazing moment for myself.
"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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