Steve McClaren hints Manchester United will have leadership group under Erik ten Hag

New Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren intends to identify a group of "cultural architects" to lead the squad under new manager Erik ten Hag.

At his introductory press conference, Ten Hag refused to clarify if Harry Maguire would retain the captaincy next season after a dreadful 2021-22 season that culminated in his demotion in April.

Bruno Fernandes has skippered United on a number of occasions and Cristiano Ronaldo has been touted as a potential captain.

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McClaren would have likely been introduced to the term cultural architect when he was the England assistant coach to Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2002. Willi Railo, a Norwegian sports psychologist Eriksson consulted, singled out David Beckham as a "cultural architect" on the eve of the 2002 World Cup.

McClaren, who is returning to United after 21 years, suggested Ten Hag would settle on a leadership group the squad can look up to as United attempt to recover from a chastening season they ended trophyless and finished sixth in the Premier League.

"Going into Manchester United, straightaway in my mind is who are the cultural architects?" McClaren said on the McClaren Performance podcast. "Who can you build this team around?

"There's not one leader, there's not one captain, there are a few lieutenants and they're all connectors and connected to each other. Some through their status, some through their talent and some through their attitude to make each other better.

"But it's up to everybody - if they are a cultural architect - to make others better."

McClaren, who has managed Middlesbrough the England national team, Twente, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Derby County and Queens Park Rangers since