Harry Maguire has been cautioned by Rio Ferdinand that if he continues at Manchester United, he would have to learn to live as a substitute.
Maguire saw his playing time drastically cut last season, and manager Erik Ten Hag removed the captaincy from him over the weekend. When Ten Hag took charge, he made the swift decision to replace the Englishman with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
There is little likelihood that he will be able to take his spot back since Ten Hag decided to remove the armband from him. Ferdinand insists that Ten Hag only sees Maguire as a backup and that if he wants to play regularly this season, he needs to move on.
Erik ten Hag plays distinctively. Harry Maguire does not fit the description when it comes to the players he should select for his brand of football. Martinez and Varane were acquired by him because they aligned with his ideology, and they will be his first-choice center-backs the next season, he told TNT Sports.
After playing so well for England, Maguire’s return to Manchester United as a substitute must have been extremely difficult. That must have been extremely stressful mentally.
What does he wish to do is the question at hand. Does he want to start for another team or just be a member of the squad? He will remain at Manchester United if he is OK with his status as a squad player; else, he will leave. But if he continues at United, he will be a sub.
Ten Hag’s decision to lose the armband was officially confirmed by Maguire in a social media post. Following a meeting with the United manager, the England player suggested that he was unhappy with the choice.
“The management has informed me he is replacing the captain after our meetings today. While I am personally very upset, I will still give it my all each time I wear the shirt, he assured me after outlining his justifications.
“Therefore, I wanted to express my sincere gratitude to the Manchester United supporters for all of their outstanding support while I’ve been carrying the armband. Being the manager of Manchester United has been a great honor and one of my finest moments since I assumed the position.
“It ranks among the top honors in club football. I have exerted every effort, both on and off the pitch, to support United’s success. I will always be appreciative to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for first entrusting me with the duty, and I wish whoever assumes it going forward every success and will have my entire support.
Varane served as the team’s captain during Wednesday’s victory over Lyon, though Ten Hag has not yet announced his replacement. Although his time at Old Trafford appears to be up, United did thank Maguire for his leadership.
In a statement that said: “Everyone at Manchester United respects Harry for his contribution as captain over the previous three and a half years,” United made the assertion official. After informing the players, the manager will soon introduce the new captain.