Man Utd boss Ten Hag has four contenders to be next captain after axing Maguire

Man Utd's recruitment issues

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire released an emotional statement on social media after being stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag on Sunday. The Red Devils boss now has a tricky decision to make, as Express Sport takes you through four convincing candidates in the running to take over the armband on a full-time basis…

Bruno Fernandes

The Portuguese can consider himself the clear front-runner after standing in as skipper for most of last season. Despite not being officially named as the club captain, he was effectively in the role as Maguire was limited to just 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.

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Raphael Varane

Not many players can match Varane’s silverware cabinet, having scooped up four Champions League crowns with Real Madrid and a World Cup triumph with the French national team.

The 30-year-old has been there and done it, while he undoubtedly has the quality to captain a side of United’s stature. The only thing working against the centre-back, however, is a patchy injury record that has seen him average just 23 Premier League appearances across his two seasons at Old Trafford.

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Casemiro

Likened to one of United’s all-time great captains, Roy Keane, Casemiro has been a smash hit since arriving from Real Madrid in a £70million deal last summer. The Brazilian’s case is boosted by having a mesmerising trophy haul and a never-say-die attitude that many Red Devils fans feel is essential for anyone donning the armband.

Although Fernandes was selected to be the stand-in captain last campaign, the fact that Casemiro now has a full season under his belt at Old Trafford could see Ten Hag change course and plump for the 31-year-old instead.

Marcus Rashford

Although the speedy forward can’t match Fernandes, Varane or Casemiro in terms of experience, he blows them out of the water when it comes to his connection with the club.

Rashford grew up in Manchester and came through the Red Devils’ academy, remaining a one-club man to this day. Furthermore, there is a strong argument that the 25-year-old is now Ten Hag’s best player, having netted 30 goals in all competitions last season and dragged the side through various tough spells with his potency coming in from the wing.

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