Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has announced that he is no longer the club captain following talks with manager Erik ten Hag.
Maguire, who was appointed captain in January 2020 by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, expressed his “extreme disappointment” with the decision.
The 30-year-old centre-back fell out of favour under Ten Hag during the 2022-23 campaign, with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, and Victor Lindelof preferred in central defence. As a result, Maguire made only 16 Premier League appearances last season, and Bruno Fernandes took on the captaincy in his absence.
In a statement posted on social media, Maguire thanked the Manchester United fans for their support during his time as captain. He described leading the club as a privilege and one of the proudest moments of his career, acknowledging that being the captain of a club like Manchester United is one of the greatest honours in football.
Maguire expressed his dedication to the club, stating that he will continue to give his all whenever he wears the United shirt, despite no longer being the captain. He also wished success to whoever takes on the captaincy role in the future.
The defender, who joined Manchester United from Leicester for £80 million in the summer of 2019, is under contract until 2025. Despite his limited playing time last season, reports suggest that Maguire intends to stay and compete for his place in the team.
However, his lack of minutes at the club may have implications for his international career. England manager Gareth Southgate recently indicated that Maguire’s playing time at United could potentially affect his role in the national team.
In preparation for the upcoming season under the guidance of Erik ten Hag, Manchester United is faced with the task of selecting a new captain to lead the team on the field. This decision will be made with great thought and deliberation. The club has stated that the manager will disclose the new captain in due time, following communication with the players.
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