Manchester United coach, Erik ten Hag has relieved defender, Harry Maguire of his captaincy duties.
There are reports linking the defender to West Ham united on a permanent basis, the England defender has found his opportunities limited under Ten Hag and has been tipped to leave the club this summer.
Maguire fell down the pecking order under Ten Hag last season, with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw all ahead of him in the Dutchman’s central defensive ranks. Now he has had a further drop in status after being stripped of the captaincy.
Bruno Fernandes who regularly wore the armband in Maguire’s absence is expected to take over permanently, but no announcement has been made.
Maguire announced he had held a meeting with the United boss on Sunday, in which the Dutchman informed the defender he would no longer be skipper. The England international was first handed the role by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
In a statement on social media, Maguire said: “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.”
Maguire was immediately handed the armband by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his arrival from Leicester in 2019 and initially impressed at Old Trafford. But despite shining with England, he has struggled for form at club level, with Ten Hag preferring Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in central defence.
An official announcement will be made by Ten Hag on who will captain the Red Devils for next season.