English footballer, Harry Maguire is set to be replaced as captain of Manchester United even if he ends up staying at Old Trafford.
Amid an erratic period of form in club colours, the England international lost his place in the United line-up last season, making just 16 Premier League appearances. Manager Erik ten Hag instead favoured Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as his centre-back pairing, with Victor Lindelof also seemingly ahead of Maguire in the pecking order.
He still retained the armband when on the field, but his future under Ten Hag now looks increasingly in doubt. Indeed, he’s reportedly part of an intended summer clear out, with David de Gea confirming on Saturday, July 8, that he’s leaving the club after 11 years.
Maguire has been at Old Trafford since making a world-record £80 million switch from Leicester City in 2019 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge and was appointed captain soon after.
But there have been calls to replace the centre-back in that particular role due to the change in his squad status, and now Ten Hag is ready to inflict more misery on Maguire by stripping him of the captaincy.
According to The Sun, Maguire will be replaced as captain ‘over the course of the next week’ whether he decides to stay or leave.
The England defender has a year left on his current deal and United may be looking to cash in to recover a sizeable fee.
There was interest from West Ham in signing Maguire on loan, but United rebuffed the east London club’s offer in January. Newcastle and Tottenham remain potential destinations for the Sheffield-born star, who is valued at around £30m by his club.
Ten Hag is ready to hand the role to Bruno Fernandes, who has taken on the responsibility when Maguire has been benched.
Another potential candidate for the captaincy is Casemiro, given how the Brazilian has taken a leading role in the team since his move from Real Madrid.
But the Brazilian midfielder has downplayed suggestions about the importance of being named captain and says acting like a leader on the pitch is more important.
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