Erik ten Hag has ensured Manchester United don't have Chelsea and Liverpool FC problem this summer

The removal of Harry Maguire as Manchester United captain had an air of inevitability about it but that should not deter from the decisiveness shown by Erik ten Hag.

Maguire confirmed he would no longer wear the armband in an emotional statement on Sunday evening, following talks with the manager in which he was informed of the decision. "He outlined his reasons to me and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt," the defender wrote on his social media channels.

United are - for now - without a permanent leader and news of Maguire's successor isn't likely to come until the club jet off to the United States for their pre-season tour. The plane will be ready to take off from Edinburgh after Wednesday's meeting with Lyon but the only captain on board will be in the cockpit.

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A vacant armband less than a month before the season kicks off is not ideal, but Ten Hag has been minded to act swiftly and will already have Maguire's successor in mind.

Vice-captain Bruno Fernandes is the strong favourite to take the role on permanently, as he did for the majority of last season. Raphael Varane led the Reds out in Oslo last week and admitted it was an honour to do so, while Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez also have a strong case.

Ten Hag will be as decisive in picking his new captain as he was deposing the old one, and the Dutchman's ruthless instincts will keep United from joining Liverpool and Chelsea in limbo.

In the midst of a major rebuild,