Manchester United manager Ten Hag has made it clear that he would decide who takes the captain’s armband, asserting his authority over the captaincy situation. While Maguire has served as the club captain since January 2020, his poor performance has pushed him down the pecking order, behind full-back Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof. For most of the 2022–23 season, Bruno Fernandes wore the armband in Maguire’s place. Additionally, it has been said that United is interested in selling him this summer and has set the player’s price at £50 million.
When asked if a team vote will be held to choose United’s captain, Ten Hag responded, “No, I don’t let the dressing room vote. It is up to me.”
The Dutch manager also stated that United must complete the transfer of Andre Onana as soon as possible after submitting a new bid worth €50m (£34m/$44m) for the Cameroonian. “Of course (it’s important to sign Onana quickly). Goalkeeper is a key position, but I am happy with the players we have now,” He added.
He also has Dean Henderson, who has returned to Old Trafford following a season on loan at Nottingham Forest. Despite being left out of the starting lineup for the first friendly victory over Leeds, the shot-stopper will continue in the ranks if Onana does not arrive.