The next Manchester United manager can make a statement with captaincy decision

There is one art of captaincy Harry Maguire has perfected this season, but then he's had a lot of practice at the solemn, sorrowful post-match interview after another Manchester United debacle.

It was Maguire who fronted up to some of the TV cameras after the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday and gave an honest and insightful view of what had gone wrong. Maguire was also the United player who got closest to the away end to thank fans for their support and, after the match, looked genuinely hurt at having - collectively - let them down so often this season.

United have now lost nine times in all competitions in 2021/22, 10 if you include losing on penalties to Middlesbrough, but it's the nature of those defeats that has often been so hard to comprehend. This team has been embarrassed in losing to Leicester, Liverpool, Watford and now twice to City. United's players have become the masters of social media apologies.

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Maguire has certainly become a lightning rod for what has turned into as bleak a season as any United have experienced since 2013 and the centre back has had a wretched time of things. But fronting up for post-match interviews is only a small part of a captain's remit and although Maguire has now led United out well over 100 times, his days as skipper must be close to coming to an end.

Appointed as interim manager, Ralf Rangnick maybe felt little need to make such a seismic decision. He nailed his colours to the mast last month when speculation grew that Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't happy with United's leader.

"I have never spoken with any player about a possible change of captaincy, Harry was fully aware of that, so was Cristiano and the other players. This