Erik ten Hag’s captain comments point towards a new Manchester United skipper
It’s safe to assume that Harry Maguire is presently wearing the Manchester United captain’s armband.
His performance levels as United’s captain have been below par, and the weight of expectation he feels as the club’s face is palpable. Reds fans have been calling for Maguire to be replaced as captain, as evidenced by their rating the central defender as the club’s worst player this season.
While Maguire has struggled, Erik ten Hag appears to have won over the United board of directors, who are seeking a permanent replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. According to the Manchester Evening News, the Old Trafford management favors Ten Hag as the next United manager.
With a new manager comes fresh ideas, and a captaincy change is undoubtedly on the Dutchman’s agenda. Ten Hag has already hinted at what he is seeking in a replacement for the United skipper.
When Matthijs de Ligt was appointed captain at Ajax in 2019, he informed Fox Sports about his criteria for selecting a captain. “I wanted his mentality to be communicated to the team,” remarked Ten Hag.
It may be claimed that this signals Cristiano Ronaldo taking the armband, but at 37, he is unlikely to suit Ten Hag’s long-term vision. Raphael Varane, on the other hand, could be the man to take over.
When not sidelined by injury, Varane has been a constant in the United team, and it is no secret that Maguire performs considerably better when the Frenchman is alongside him. His attitude is also exactly what United requires right now, given their current situation.
Varane has been regarded as the “water in the storm” by Paul Pogba, a cool head that helps players like Pogba to perform to the best of their abilities. The 28-year-old can easily be the calm enforcer in the United dressing room, restoring order in this ‘new’ Manchester United.
Varane’s track record, without a question, speaks for itself. He’s a World Cup, Champions League, Club World Cup, and La Liga winner who’s seen it all.
Varane would be the ideal man to guide Anthony Elanga and others as they rise through the ranks at Manchester United. Replacing Maguire as captain, though, would not necessarily mean the end of his stay in Manchester.
The former Leicester City player has demonstrated his ability to be productive without the armband at the international level. Getting rid of that pressure will undoubtedly help his career in the long run.
After a disappointing season, the introduction of a new manager represents a fresh start. A new captain would send a message to the rest of the Premier League that they will be dealing with a different beast next season.
