 Erik ten Hag will strip Harry Maguire of the Manchester United captaincy this week and has already picked his successor, according to reports. Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis Sign up Privacy Policy Maguire's United career has been over for some time now, with the world's most expensive defender not a part of Ten Hag's plans. The centre-back started just eight Premier League games last season, with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and even left-back Luke Shaw ahead of him in the pecking order. Though he remains a key player for England, Gareth Southgate has informed Maguire that he must secure regular game time for that to continue, though transfer speculation has quietened in recent months. West Ham, Tottenham and Newcastle have been linked with the 30-year-old before but it is said that United's asking price of £50million and the player's astronomical wages are putting off potential buyers. Maguire has also served as the Red Devils captain since the departure of Ashley Young in 2020, but while he has recently struggled for minutes and form, Ten Hag insisted that he would not take the armband off him while he was still at Old Trafford However, talkSPORT now claim that the manager will renegade on that promise and remove Maguire as captain regardless of whether or not he remains a United player for next season. Bruno Fernandes wore the armband in Maguire's absence last season (Photo: Getty) It is also said, that the Dutchman has already selected his new skipper and, in a decision that will surprise no one, that player is Bruno Fernandes. Ten Hag will consult with his squad on the appointment over the next few days while an official announcement on the matter could be made as early as this coming week. In Maguire's absence, Fernandes frequently wore the armband in 2022/23, leading his side to Carabao Cup glory and the FA Cup final, recording 14 goals and 15 as){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Erik ten Hag will strip Harry Maguire of the Manchester United captaincy this week and has already picked his successor, according to reports.
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis
Maguire’s United career has been over for some time now, with the world’s most expensive defender not a part of Ten Hag’s plans.
The centre-back started just eight Premier League games last season, with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and even left-back Luke Shaw ahead of him in the pecking order.