Cristiano Ronaldo has indicated he would be willing to take the Manchester United captaincy as Erik ten Hag compiled a three-man shortlist to replace Harry Maguire.
The Portugal star, David de Gea and Bruno Fernandes are among the candidates to take the armband off Maguire if there is a switch of captains next season, according to ESPN. There are no guarantees that Maguire will retain his spot in Ten Hag's starting XI given his downturn in form last season.
Maguire's lack of pace is also a concern with the manager's tendency to play with a high defensive line which has resulted in United looking at other centre-backs in the upcoming transfer window including Jurrien Timber and Pau Torres. Ronaldo has emerged as the clear favourite to be named Maguire's successor as captain and it seems like he would take Ten Hag up on his offer given his authoritative role in the dressing room as he embraces being a role model to his teammates.
The 37-year-old mentored the younger players within the squad last season as he set an example for the likes of Jadon Sancho, Scott McTominay, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga.
Elanga, who enjoyed a breakout year with United, revealed that Ronaldo has played an integral part in helping him develop throughout the campaign as he regularly gives advice to him on how to keep improving as a player. He told Sky Sports: "I speak to Cristiano a lot in training and he's always giving me advice. I grew up watching him at Old Trafford, so now to be able to play together is just an amazing feeling."
It's a role that Ronaldo was hesitant to adopt at the start of the season as he didn't want to step on Maguire's toes with the Uniter skipper typically being the authoritative voice in the changing room.
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But he finally obliged after being repeatedly urged by the dressing room and interim boss Ralf Rangnick. The former Real Madrid star has taken the likes of Elanga under his wing and United reaped the rewards for it with the winger showing excellent form during the second half of the season.
Elanga says Ronaldo is always talking to him, helping him improve. "You can see his record and the number of goals he's scored, I think it's 100 in the Premier League now," said the Swede. "He knows what it takes to get to the top so it's more than just right to speak to someone like that. And, yeah, we have a chat the day before or even during a game. You might see us in the warm-up.
"He'll speak to me and Sancho together about what we can do in the game to affect the game and it's important to have someone like that in the team. He's someone I look up to and speak to and ask for advice. He's a special player to work with."
