Although Harry Maguire remains Manchester United's captain, he's spent more time on the bench than wearing the armband. Maguire has started just seven games in the Premier League this season and Bruno Fernandes has been the de facto captain.
Fernandes is officially the vice-captain, but more often than not he's been Erik ten Hag's leader on the pitch. Away from Fernandes, there are a few trusted lieutenants like Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
Those big characters set the tone in the dressing room and they echo the message that Ten Hag wants to get through. ALSO READ: Weghorst lifts lid on talks with Man United over his future Those players are bound to command more respect than Maguire due to their respective achievements in the game and an official captaincy change in the summer is likely.
Those members of the dressing room have all made key contributions in this campaign, but with the two first-choice centre-backs currently sidelined with injury, the leadership of Fernandes and Casemiro is going to be needed more than ever.