Erik ten Hag told to make Marcus Rashford next Manchester United captain

Danny Murphy believes Marcus Rashford would thrive in the role of Manchester United captain next season - but only if the forward signs a new contract and secures his future.

United's armband will likely be up for grabs heading into next season, with current club captain Harry Maguire at the fringes of the first-team picture and a potential departure in the summer. The 29-year-old has held the role since January 2020, but the arrival of Lisandro Martinez last summer has seen his minutes reduced drastically and he is among a number of players Erik ten Hag could offload.

In his absence this season, Bruno Fernandes has held the armband but the Portuguese midfielder came in for some criticism during the 7-0 defeat at Liverpool for a lack of leadership - albeit he bounced back with a brilliant performance against Real Betis on Thursday.

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Despite Ten Hag's confirmation that Fernandes will retain the armband in Maguire's absence for the next few months, the role of permanent captain is still to be confirmed, and Murphy believes Rashford would fit the bill.

"Rashford would be an ideal for United considering where they are at the moment in Erik ten Hag’s team development," Murphy wrote in his Daily Mail column. "Being a striker isn’t always the most natural position for a captain, but I think Rashford compensates in other areas.

"He’s clearly an automatic choice and becoming an excellent communicator on behalf of the club, confident in front of the microphone and camera. Importantly, he has become an elite forward and is clearly enjoying his football.

"People may question whether the armband would be a distraction. I believe he’d thrive on the extra