- Harry Maguire stripped of Manchester United captaincy
Harry Maguire has confirmed that he has been stripped of the Manchester United captaincy following discussions with manager Erik Ten Hag. Maguire took on the armband in January 2020 after Ashley Young’s departure, but his position as captain has now been revoked.
Since Ten Hag’s arrival, Maguire has seen Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez move ahead of him in the squad hierarchy, raising doubts about his long-term future at the club. The decision to change the captaincy has left Maguire feeling “extremely disappointed.”
Maguire made the announcement on social media, which read: “After discussions with the manager today he has informed me he is changing captain. He outlined his reasons to me and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt. So I wanted to say a massive thank you to the Manchester United fans for all their brilliant support whilst I’ve been wearing the armband. Since the day I took on the role, three and half years ago, it’s been a huge privilege to lead Manchester United and one of the proudest moments of my career to date. It’s one of the greatest honours in club football. I’ve done everything I possibly could to help United be successful – on and off the field. I will always be grateful to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for first giving me the responsibility and I wish whoever now takes it on every success and they will have my full support. Harry.”
After discussions with the manager today he has informed me he is changing captain. He outlined his reasons to me and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt.
So I wanted to say a massive thank you to the… pic.twitter.com/TAOS0eisF1
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) July 16, 2023
United have added in an official statement of their own: “Everyone at Manchester United thanks Harry for his contribution as captain over the past three-and-a-half years. The manager will announce the new captain in due course, after he has informed the players.”
Bruno Fernandes, who wore the captain’s armband for most of last season while Maguire was on the bench, is now the frontrunner to be named Manchester United’s new permanent captain. The announcement of Maguire’s removal as captain is likely to fuel speculation about his potential transfer away from Old Trafford, with West Ham and Aston Villa among the clubs linked to him.
Maguire was absent from United’s first pre-season match against Leeds as he was given additional time off to recover from his international duties with England in June. He could potentially return to action in a friendly against Lyon on July 19, but his future is expected to be a subject of continued questioning as United prepares to embark on their tour of the United States a few days later.