Harry Maguire will be more eager than most at Manchester United to see the back of this season, and that’s really saying something.
It has been a disastrous campaign for the defender, one which he headed into after playing a vital part in England’s run to their first major final in nearly 60 years and having narrowly missed out on his first piece of silverware as United captain. He ends it having been taken out of the firing line amid a wretched run of form, and with fans calling for him to hand over the captain’s armband.
The issue of who will lead United next season will be a huge call for Erik ten Hag to make when he arrives at Old Trafford. The incoming manager is already well underway with his plans for next season, and he’s already made it clear that one of his priorities will be to bring harmony back to a dressing room that has been torn apart by constant reports of discontent and infighting.
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Who gets the armband will be key to repairing that split. Unfortunately for Maguire, the headlines that have been coming out of the Old Trafford dressing room this season do not reflect kindly on his leadership skills.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival has also not helped Maguire’s cause. Already a firm fans’ favourite, the Portuguese boasts more experience and one of the finest CV’s in football history, so there’s only ever going to be one winner in that regard.
But Ten Hag is not averse to going against the grain and has proven that anyone can be in the running to become captain, regardless of their experience. During his time at Ajax, he surprised everyone when he made Matthijs de Ligt captain at the age of just 18.
Under De Ligt’s captaincy, Ajax
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