Why Cristiano Ronaldo Might Still Be Awarded A Medal Following Manchester United’s Victory In The Carabao Cup Final

Even though Cristiano Ronaldo no longer represents Manchester United, he could  still receive a Carabao Cup winner’s medal. The Red Devils won their first trophy of Erik ten Hag era and also the first in six years, when they toppled Newcastle United in the final on Sunday at Wembley. Casemiro and the free-scoring Marcus Rashford were on target for United as the club’s revival post Ronaldo’s departure in November last year reached a new height.

For Ronaldo and his former colleagues at Old Trafford, whom he bid adieu back in November, Sunday was undoubtedly a day of paradoxes. Although the Portuguese had scored his second hat-trick while playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia the day before, one would suppose that he would have preferred to be at Wembley.

EFL medals rule could land Cristiano Ronaldo a souvenir

While Cristiano Ronaldo’s former teammates were defeating Newcastle United, owned by Saudi Arabia, in the final of the League Cup to clinch their first trophy in over six years, the Portuguese superstar was in the Middle East at the Diriyah Arena to watch Jake Paul and Tommy Fury finally square off. Although a large number of people could have been interested in the fight, the viewing experience was comparable to paying pay-per-view rates to watch two Sunday League football teams play.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo might still receive a medal from United’s win on Sunday, although he is about 3,000 miles away from London and hasn’t participated in a single Carabao Cup fixture for the club this year. The EFL rule 20.2 on the awarding of medals states:

“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.”

Not everyone thought that the victory was a testament that Erik ten Hag’s side have moved on from the five time Ballon d’Or winner though. As you could probably guess, the forward’s number one boot licker, Piers Morgan was once again in full on troll mode, suggesting the Red Devils would have been better off with his mate upfront instead of January loan signing Wout Weghorst. However, the Dutch striker proved that suggestion wrong, as he assisted Marcus Rashford for the second goal.