Harry Maguire, a defender for Manchester United, posted an emotional statement on social media after Erik ten Hag relieved him of his captaincy on Sunday. The Red Devils’ manager now faces a difficult choice as Express Sport walks you through four deserving contenders for the job on a full-time basis.
Bruno Fernandes
After serving as interim captain for the majority of the previous season, the Portuguese can now firmly assert himself as the front-runner. Even though he wasn’t formally chosen club captain, he served in that capacity since Maguire was only allowed to make eight Premier League starts.
Fernandes has bagged 64 goals in 185 matches for United since signing in 2020, although his bid for the captaincy could be derailed by a group of key players, each with their own distinct plus points.
Raphael Varane
Varane’s trophy collection is unmatched among athletes; he has won four Champions League titles with Real Madrid and a World Cup with the French national side.
The 30-year-old has experience and unquestionably possesses the skills necessary to lead a team of United’s prominence. The center-back’s poor injury history, which has limited him to an average of just 23 Premier League appearances over his two seasons at Old Trafford, is the only thing standing in his way.
Marcus Rashford
Although the quick forward lacks the experience of Fernandes, Varane, or Casemiro, he outshines them when it comes to his ties to the team.
Rashford is still a one-club man despite having grown up in Manchester and graduating from the Red Devils’ youth system. Furthermore, there is a compelling case to be made that the 25-year-old is currently Ten Hag’s finest player given that he scored 30 goals in all competitions last season and carried the team through a number of trying times thanks to his ability to fill in on the wing.
Casemiro
Casemiro, who cost £70 million to acquire from Real Madrid last summer, has been a huge success, drawing comparisons to one of United’s all-time greatest captains, Roy Keane. The Brazilian’s argument is strengthened by his impressive title haul and his unwavering spirit, which many Red Devils supporters believe is necessary for anyone wearing the armband.
Although Fernandes was chosen to serve as the interim captain last season, now that Casemiro has played at Old Trafford for an entire season, Ten Hag may decide to change his mind and choose the 31-year-old instead.