will strip of the captaincy this week and has already picked his successor, according to reports.
Maguire’s United career has been over for some time now, with the world’s most expensive defender .
The centre-back started just eight games last season, with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and even left-back Luke Shaw ahead of him in the pecking order.
Though he remains a key player for England, time for that to continue, though transfer speculation has quietened in recent months.
West Ham, Tottenham and Newcastle have been linked with the 30-year-old before but it is said that United’s asking price of £50million and the player’s astronomical wages are putting off potential buyers.
Maguire has also served as the Red Devils captain since the departure of Ashley Young in 2020, but while he has recently struggled for minutes and form, Ten Hag insisted that he would not take the armband off him while he was still at Old Trafford
However, now claim that the manager will renegade on that promise and remove Maguire as captain regardless of whether or not he remains a United player for next season.
It is also said, that the Dutchman has already selected his new skipper and, in a decision that will surprise no one, that player is .
Ten Hag will consult with his squad on the appointment over the next few days while an official announcement on the matter could be made as early as this coming week.
In Maguire’s absence, Fernandes frequently wore the armband in 2022/23, leading his side to Carabao Cup glory and the FA Cup final, recording 14 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.
Many have hailed his leadership skills, though the 28-year-old has received some criticism for his attitude on the pitch, with .
‘Bruno Fernandes is obviously not a leader, it’s as plain as the nose on the end of your face,’ he said back in May.
‘His attitude when they went 3-0 down at Liverpool was appalling. You certainly would not want to be in the trenches with him.’
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