Even if he stays at Old Trafford, English footballer Harry Maguire is expected to lose his position as captain of Manchester United.
The England international lost his spot in the United lineup last season after a patch of inconsistent play in club colours, during which he made just 16 Premier League appearances. However, manager Erik ten Hag preferred the centre-back combination of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, with Victor Lindelof also seeming ahead of Maguire in the hierarchy of importance.
On the pitch, he continued to wear the armband, but his future under Ten Hag now seems to be in jeopardy. David de Gea, who confirmed on Saturday, July 8, that he is leaving the club after 11 years, is supposedly part of a planned summer purge.
Maguire joined Old Trafford for a then-record £80 million transfer from Leicester City in 2019 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and was shortly made captain.
But, because of the centre-back’s altered standing in the team, there have been demands to replace him in that specific position. Now, Ten Hag is prepared to add insult to injury by removing Maguire’s leadership.
Regardless of his decision, Maguire will be replaced as captain “over the course of the next week,” according to The Sun.
With a year remaining on his current contract, the English defender may be sold by United to recoup a substantial amount.
West Ham was interested in loaning Maguire to them, but United turned down their bid in January. The Sheffield player, valued at almost £30 million by his club, might end up at Newcastle or Tottenham.
Bruno Fernandes, who stepped in while Maguire was benched, will soon get the position from Ten Hag.
Given that Casemiro has assumed a leadership position for the squad since joining Real Madrid, the Brazilian is another possibility for the captaincy.
But, the Brazilian midfielder has shrugged down claims that being appointed captain is essential, saying that what matters most is leading by example on the pitch.
