Harry Maguire is facing an uncertain future at Manchester United as he could fall victim to the latest clearout overseen by Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman continuing to yield an unforgiving axe at the club.
The England international has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford and now, four years after joining the club, it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will be able to win his place back.
Earlier on Sunday, it was reported by journalist and transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano that Maguire would be holding talks with Erik ten Hag over his future imminently. A departure from the club remains on the table going into the sit-down with Ten Hag.
Now, in another major update on Maguire’s status at the club, it is being reported that he could be stripped of his captaincy regardless of whether he remains beyond this transfer window.
That’s according to The Sun, who say that Maguire will lose the armband as early as this week. It is said that Ten Hag, who retained the former Leicester star as skipper last year, will discuss it with his squad first.
As per the report, Bruno Fernandes will be named the new captain when Maguire loses the title. The Portuguese midfielder was officially the vice-captain last season but was widely known as the team’s leader.
SN’s verdict…
It’s imperative that a team’s captain and main leader is on the pitch for the vast majority of minutes played in a season and Maguire will simply not be present regardless if he sticks around or not.
Fernandes’ unmanly fitness allows him to play almost all of United’s games in all competitions and he is a clear leader – the undisputed choice among supporters as well.
Maguire started just eight games last season and that’s not enough for a captain. Fernandes, in contrast, started all 37 of the Premier League games he was available for.
