Erik ten Hag has insisted that the Manchester United squad will not help make a decision on who will captain the side this coming season.
Current Red Devils captain Harry Maguire has featured sporadically since Ten Hag took charge last summer, making just eight starts in the Premier League during the 2022/23 season. This lack of game time has, expectedly, cast doubts on the defender’s long-term future at Old Trafford.
90min reported earlier in the summer that Tottenham had shortlisted the 30-year-old, while Juventus, Inter, Newcastle United and West Ham United have all also been monitoring the situation ahead of a potential bid.
Despite interest, sources have confirmed that Maguire is keen to stay at United in order to battle for more regular game time.
In Maguire’s stead, Bruno Fernandes wore the captain’s armband on a number of occasions, while Raphael Varane led the team out for pre-season win over Leeds United in Oslo on Wednesday.
Speaking about who may captain the side next season, Ten Hag revealed that the decision will not be made by the squad, but the manager himself.
“No, I don’t let the dressing room vote. It is up to me,” he said.
Ten Hag also took the time to assess new signing Mason Mount’s performance in the win, hailing the player’s dynamism: “It was a good performance [from Mount], but we expected this because he has so many skills and I am sure he will contribute to the success of Manchester United because he is a quality player.
“His ambition is to play offensively but he also wants to be multifunctional and complete. When you play in midfield you have to attack and defend but I am sure he will bring dynamism into our game.
“That is what we analysed; one of our conclusions last season was that we needed more dynamism in that midfield department.”
What we know
- Erik ten Hag has insisted that the dressing room will not vote on new captain
- Current captain Harry Maguire has been linked with a move away
- Raphael Varane led the team out for opening pre-season game