Why Cristiano Ronaldo could still receive a medal after Manchester United's Carabao Cup final win

Cristiano Ronaldo could still be given a Carabao Cup winner's medal, despite the fact he no longer plays for Manchester United.

Sunday was certainly a day of contradictions for Ronaldo and his former teammates at Old Trafford, who he left back in November last year.

Sure, the previous day, Ronaldo had netted the second hat-trick of his time in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr, but you assume he'd rather have been at Wembley.

There, his ex colleagues were capturing their first piece of silverware in nearly six years, beating Saudi owned Newcastle United in the final.

Ronaldo on the other hand, was at the Diriyah Arena, Diriyah, in the Middle East, to watch Jake Paul and Tommy Fury finally have a fight.

Many people may have been interested in the fight but quality wise it was like paying pay-per-view prices to watch two Sunday League teams play football.

However, despite being around 3,000 miles away from London, and having not played a single Carabao Cup game for United this season, the 38-year-old still could end up with a medal.

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."

That means it will be up to the Old Trafford side to decide whether or not they give one of the medals to international men's football's all time top goalscorer.

Ronaldo helped United win the cup back in 2009. Image: Alamy

Flyweight world champion Sunny Edwards amusingly took to Twitter after the game to say, "Man Utd win a trophy months after Ronaldo leaves and now he’s sat getting ready to watch a love islander fight a YouTuber. Life comes at you fast."

Not everyone thought that the victory was proof 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 Wout Weghorst.

The Dutch striker proved that suggestion wrong, as he provided the assist for the second goal, an unfortunate own goal for Sven Botman.

Whilst Ronaldo doesn't know if he'll get a medal, Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka did pick one up, having played for Ten Hag's side against Burnley in the League Cup, whilst on loan earlier in the campaign.