Erik ten Hag already has a candidate to replace Harry Maguire as Manchester United captain

Big changes are brewing at Manchester United.

After what has turned out to be a disastrous campaign in every way imaginable, United are now limping along the home straight as the conclusion of the 2021-22 season nears. Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal has left United's Champions League hopes hanging by a thread so thin that you need a magnifying glass to see it.

But, whatever happens in United's four remaining fixtures this season, the size of the challenge awaiting new manager Erik ten Hag this summer cannot be underestimated. The Dutchman, in what will be the biggest job of his career so far, will be tasked with overseeing one of the biggest summers United have faced in recent memory.

READ MORE: Six Manchester United players ruled out vs Chelsea

Whilst mass changes need to be made to the first-team squad, in terms of players both coming in and going out, as well as a clear vision and philosophy needing to be installed, another challenge that Ten Hag is likely to face is deciding who he wants to sport the captain's armband from next season onwards. Harry Maguire has faced a wealth of criticism throughout this term and his future with the armband is under threat.

Despite being an £80m signing, the former Leicester City man has failed to display the leadership qualities that a United player needs to showcase. In his defence, however, it is hard to do that when almost everything that United have touched this season has gone pear-shaped.

Nevertheless, Maguire has failed with the armband, meaning speculation is already mounting about who could sport it next season. Will Ten Hag allow Maguire to keep it in the hope that he can rebuild his career, or hand it to somebody else? Only time will tell.

But whilst the decision