Roland Cutinho
Manchester United’s centre-back is set to be stripped of the captain’s armband even if he snubs a move away from Old Trafford
According to the Sun, Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire is set to lose the captain’s armband this week as Erik ten Hag aims for a major change in the leadership role.
The Dutch boss is planning to strip Maguire of his captaincy for the upcoming season, even if the defender continues to play for the club.
The former Leicester City centre-back has been heavily linked with a departure from Old Trafford, with several Premier League teams showing interest in him. However, there is a chance that the English star might stay at the club due to his high salary.
In the event that Maguire chooses to remain at Old Trafford, he will be replaced as captain by Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes took on the role of captain on the field last season when Maguire was no longer a regular starter under Ten Hag. The 30-year-old defender has fallen through the pecking order in the last few years.
Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, and Victor Lindelof have been preferred ahead of him. In fact, Ten Hag didn’t shy away from using Luke Shaw, even if it meant pushing Maguire to the bench again.
And the full-back’s impressive performances have further hindered the captain’s chances of making a comeback into the starting XI. Moreover, Maguire had only eight Premier League starts in the previous season, and this further puts a dent in his CV.
Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham have emerged as possible destinations for the centre-back, but negotiations have been hindered by his high weekly wages of £200,000.
Maguire will be eager to secure more regular playing time as he looks ahead to Euro 2024, where he is expected to represent his country. England’s national team manager, Gareth Southgate, has already warned him that he needs to play more at the club level.
Maintaining his place in the national team setup will be a priority for the defender, and it could only happen if he secures a move away from the club. In the current scenario, it’s highly unlikely for the English star to break into the starting XI.
Meanwhile, Fernandes has never missed a game for Man United due to injuries. He has been scoring and providing assists on a consistent basis for the Red Devils. Hence, it is justified that he could be handed the captain’s armband by Ten Hag next season.
Maguire‘s slow gameplay, sloppy passes at the back, and nervousness during counter-attacks have cost him several errors for United in the past few years.
There has been widespread criticism from every corner of the fan base, and it would be better if the defender secured a move away from the theatre of dreams.
Maguire has the potential to revive his career, but it is not possible by just warming the bench. His time at Man United has not been inspiring, and the player needs to make a decision or else risk losing his place in the English squad.
Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill has attracted a lot of attention from clubs and managers in recent months due to his impressive performances for Brighton & Hove Albion.
His solidity at the back also helped the three lions win the Euro U21 title, and Southgate would be enticed to give him an opportunity at the back.
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This means more trouble for Maguire. It would be safe to say that a player doesn’t continue to receive favours from the manager; in the end, he needs to show his worth to rise above other competitors.
The same goes for the United captain, and the sooner he understands this, the better it is for both the club and the player.
