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THE DEVIL DARES HARDER

Harry Maguire lifts lid on Man Utd’s ‘disappointing’ season as he faces race against time to play in FA Cup final

England ace says he's not even thought about the Euros as he's focused on Wembley
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HARRY MAGUIRE believes Manchester United should have done better this season despite their nightmare run of injuries.

Under-pressure boss Erik ten Hag has been forced to contend with more than 60 cases of injury or illness throughout a torrid campaign that saw the Red Devils limp home in eighth — their lowest-ever Prem finish.

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Harry Maguire knows he faces a tight battle to make WembleyCredit: PP.
The defender is fighting to be fit and ready to take on Man CityCredit: Getty

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And England defender Maguire is in a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City after missing  the end of the season with a calf problem.

At various stages this season, Maguire’s fellow defenders Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Willy Kambwala, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof have all been on the sidelines, while Tyrell Malacia has not featured at all.

Midfielder Mason Mount has struggled with his fitness since joining from Chelsea for £55million in July, while there have been injuries to Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen, Sofyan Amrabat, Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, Amad Diallo, Antony and Anthony Martial.

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Even so, Maguire admits missing out on the European spots was a huge disappointment after last season’s third-place finish.

And the centre-back hopes to end the season on a high by lifting the FA Cup — which would also see the club qualify for the Europa League.

Maguire, 31, said: “It has been a really disappointing season from where we were a year ago. Everyone will admit that.

“Obviously, we have had a ridiculous number of injuries, a freak number.

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“We have not dealt with it well enough. We should have managed more points than what we did.

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Maguire regained a regular spot under Erik ten Hag before his setbackCredit: Getty

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“We have not performed well enough and our performances should have been better.

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“Obviously, Europe is something we need to push towards.

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“It would be a great achievement to win the Cup against a team who are playing really well.”

Accepting United are under a huge amount of pressure, Maguire added: “It is what happens when you play for this club.

“If you don’t get good results, players get scrutinised, layers get linked with a move away.

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“They get sold, put on the transfer list and the manager will come under pressure.

“I have been here five years now so I know what happens.

“The manager is experienced enough to know it is part and parcel of being at this club. I am sure he can deal with that.

“As a team, this season has been a lot tougher than last year.

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But it is a long old career and you will always have ups and downs. It is the way you react to the downs which pushes you.”

This is a Cup final for Manchester United. I want to be involved. I want to be available to play. The Euros have not crossed my mind.

Harry Maguire

Maguire moved to Old Trafford from Leicester in the summer of 2019 for £85million.

And he is hoping to be fit for  Saturday’s Wembley final, even though he is only likely to make the bench after missing United’s last four games.

Despite being included in Gareth Southgate’s 33-man training squad for the Euros, Maguire is only thinking of United.

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He added: “The Euros is not a priority. I am not looking to save myself for the Euros.

“This is a Cup final for Manchester United. I want to be involved. I want to be available to play. The Euros have not crossed my mind.

“I am doing everything I can to be involved again. Even if I only return to training the day before the game, I want to be involved.

“It was frustrating to pick up the calf injury in training and I would have liked to finish the season in the Premier League.

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“For the Cup final, I am touch and go. Fingers crossed.”

SunSport's verdict on Man Utd flops

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd's squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.

Andre Onana - STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.

Altay Bayindir - GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.

Tom Heaton - STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka - GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.

Diogo Dalot - STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd's most consistent performers this season.

Raphael Varane - GO: If it wasn't for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.

Harry Maguire - GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.

Lisandro Martinez - STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.

Jonny Evans - GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.

Victor Lindelof - GO:  Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.

Willy Kambwala - STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.

Luke Shaw - GO: One of the Premier League's best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.

Tyrell Malacia - STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.

Sofyan Amrabat - GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he's had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.

Casemiro - GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old - who has two more years on his contract - then United should snatch their hand off.

Christian Eriksen - GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.

Kobbie Mainoo - STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.

Mason Mount - STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.

Scott McTominay - STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.

Bruno Fernandes - STAY: Man Utd's best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.

Antony - GO: There's a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn't Man Utd quality.

Anthony Martial - GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.

Marcus Rashford - STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.

Alejandro Garnacho - STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He's a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.

Rasmus Hojlund - STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.

Amad Diallo - STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.

Saturday’s Cup final is a repeat of last season’s all-Manchester showdown as City chase back-to-back Doubles.

Ilkay Gundogan scored inside 13  seconds for the quickest-ever goal in a final, before his second-half winner saw City beat the Red Devils 2-1 on their way to emulating their historic Treble.

Maguire, an ambassador for WOW Hydrate, said: “It was a painful day.

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“We got the Carabao Cup and were full of confidence going into the game.

“We played well but to concede so early against the team going for the Treble was really bad.

Mason Mount's form in training shows he can be a Utd hit, says MaguireCredit: Getty

“We know we cannot do that again on Saturday.

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“If you give a team like City a head start in a Cup final, then you are giving yourself a really tough task.

“It is hard enough to beat them on a level playing field.

“We did not have too many chances but we had a few to turn half-chances into good chances but it was not to be.

“So we are now looking forward to another big occasion.”

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Maguire has also backed Mount to be a success, despite making just 19 appearances for United this season.

The defender said: “Mason wanted to come and make a big impression but he has been really unlucky with injuries since arriving.

“We can see in training he will be a big player for this club. Every player and member of staff knows that.

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“I am sure he is so frustrated he has not had the opportunity to show that to United’s fans. He will have many years at this club, though."

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