Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has suffered a fresh blow after Erik ten Hag sang the praises of stand-in skipper Bruno Fernandes and claimed the midfielder is an "example" to his teammates.
Maguire, 29, is still United's official captain but has struggled for regular game-time this term after being dropped by Ten Hag earlier in the season. With Maguire out of favour, the armband has, more often than not, been donned by Fernandes, who has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance under United's new boss. And there is now the suggestion the Portuguese could be made permanent skipper.
Fernandes has been far more influential than he was during the calamitous 2021/22 campaign and earned plenty of praise from Ten Hag ahead of Friday night's meeting with Everton in the FA Cup.
When he was asked about Fernandes and the captaincy in his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag said: "I think he's an example. That's also the reason why he often wears the armband. That's exemplified by his energy.
"He's so good in transition, both ways, and that's one of the key elements in today's football. He's so good in it and he gives so much quality in that part of the game. The team's really happy with him and I'm really happy with him."
Ten Hag's glowing endorsement is a clear hint that Fernandes could be in line to inherit the Manchester United captaincy on a permanent basis in the future with Maguire's future still uncertain.
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The former Leicester man was expected to be recalled to the first team after impressing for England at the World Cup. However, a virus hampered those plans and Maguire found himself on the bench once United returned to action a fortnight ago.
Maguire was brought back into the starting XI for United's 3-0 win over Bournemouth earlier in the week. But it still remains to be seen what his long-term future holds.
Former United and England defender Rio Ferdinand insisted last week that Maguire should be looking for a new club after Luke Shaw, who normally plays as a left-back was again selected ahead of Maguire at the heart of United's defence.
Speaking to BT Sport prior to United's win over Wolves, Ferdinand said: "If I'm Harry Maguire, I'm looking for a new club right now. This new manager [Ten Hag] is showing by his team selection that he is not going to be one of the two, three top centre-backs at this club."
Manchester United have been linked with a number of defenders in recent weeks: including Napoli ace Kim Min-Jae, who starred for South Korea at the World Cup.
France international Axel Disasi is another name who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford this week, with The Daily Mail claiming that United have 'held talks' over a move for the Monaco ace.
