It seems like Erik ten Hag was the one who Manchester United was missing for the past few years. In what is his debut season, coach Erik ten Hag has already worked wonders with the club. It’s hard to believe that the Manchester United team which lost 4-0 to Brentford early in the season is now Carabao Cup champions. However, fans are still contemplating whether Cristiano Ronaldo should also get a champions medal.
Cristiano Ronaldo could be awarded a Carabao Cup medal due to EFL rule should #mufc allow it.https://t.co/q0qd4SVUXF
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) February 27, 2023
Manchester United defeated Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Caseimiro and Marcus Rashford’s goals secured the title for the Red Devils. In what was his 40th game in charge of the club, ten Hag has led Manchester United to their first trophy since 2017 (via FootyStats). Manchester United is still in contention to win three more titles at the end of this season.
Currently, United is third in the Premier League, 8 points behind table-toppers Arsenal. Manchester United recently qualified for the round of 16 in the Europa League after defeating Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate. United will also face West Ham early next month. Thus, Erik ten Hag can cap off a brilliant end to the 2022-23 season if his side manages to win all three of the remaining competitions.
However, it seems that Cristiano Ronaldo might win a championship medal even after leaving the club last year. However, Ronaldo’s exit from Manchester United left a lot of bad blood between the two parties. The Portuguese star’s second stint at United came to a disappointing end after a fallout with Erik ten Hag. Ronaldo spent most of the time last year on the bench for United, which eventually led to his fiery interview with Piers Morgan.
Erik ten Hag might not send Cristiano Ronaldo a Carabao Cup medal
During the interview with Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo claimed that he felt “disrespected” and “betrayed” by Erik ten Hag. Erik ten Hag responded to Ronaldo’s interview, saying, “The interview I think, as a club, you can’t accept. There will be consequences. It was quite clear after [the interview] that he had to leave. ” Therefore, many fans believe that Erik ten Hag might not want to send Ronaldo the Carabao Cup medal.
Erik ten Hag breaks his silence on Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure 🗣
🎙 “We made the statement, we look at the future” pic.twitter.com/NHocMu4FDa
— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) December 22, 2022
Soccer fans are in a quandary over whether to send Ronaldo a medal or not. While some fans feel that Ronaldo deserves the medal, others feel quite the opposite. One fan, rather angrily, commented, “We should never allow it because he made it clear that he doesn’t respect the manager of the team so no way he will be given a medal. “
Here’s a series of Twitter reactions from the fans:
He’s a club legend and I think we should give him the medal. However, I will stick by whatever decision Ten Hag takes.🔴🔰
— 🇵🇹🇶🇦🔰 (@KazzCR7) February 27, 2023
Ten Hag should take pity on ronaldo and give that poor guy his medal. It maybe his last in any of the top leagues
— Observer (@__0bserver) February 27, 2023
Yes, give him a medal, he’s a United Legend.
— 𝙹𝚎𝚏𝚏 𝙷𝚞𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚗 (@RedDevils_74) February 27, 2023
Give him but print a picture of Piers Morgan on one side.
— Ulfath Mohammed (@BeingUlfu) February 27, 2023
They did wish him happy birthday. On an Instagram story and I think they will giv him a medal. United is not a petty club.
— Arka (@Unitedrc_a) February 27, 2023
We should never allow it because he made it clear that he doesn’t respect the manager of the team so no way he will be given a medal 🏅
— . (@Undefeated_I) February 27, 2023
While Manchester United is under no obligation to send Ronaldo a medal since he isn’t part of the club anymore and he didn’t even play in the competition last year, that doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t get the medal. As per the EFL rule 20.2, “In addition to the Cup, the Management Committee shall present thirty souvenirs to the winning Club in the Final Tie; and thirty souvenirs to the losing Club in the Final Tie.”
“Additional souvenirs may be presented with the consent of the Management Committee but shall be at the cost of the requesting Club.” This season, only 27 Manchester United players have played in the Carabao Cup. This leaves room for three more players to get a champions medal. Thus, if Manchester United wants, they can send Ronaldo a Carabao Cup winners medal.