Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has warned Harry Maguire there's "no guarantee" he will play regularly under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United... despite keeping the captaincy.
Ten Hag has confirmed Maguire, 29, will remain as skipper this coming season, ending weeks of speculation. The Englishman made his first appearance for the new manager on Friday, conceding a goal inside five minutes during the 4-1 win against Melbourne Victory.
Maguire struggled for form last term as United conceded 57 goals in the Premier League - four more than relegated Burnley. Ten Hag has decided to put his faith in the centre-back, but Lawrenson believes it's too early to tell if Maguire will play week in, week out.
Ten Hag currently has five senior centre-backs to choose from - Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Raphael Varane. Alex Telles was also deployed at centre-back against Melbourne, while United are close to signing Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez.
"Club captain used to mean that you were captain of the club, not necessarily team captain," Lawrenson told Paddy Power. "Harry Maguire is a good player, but like a lot of them last year, he had a really poor season.
"His problem is that he’s a good footballer, but he is just a bit slow - you can't really make yourself any faster, unfortunately! I don't know whether it'll be him leading the team every week. In all honesty, I would watch this space."
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United are enduring their most unsuccessful era in 40 years, not winning a trophy since their Europa League triumph in May 2017. Last season was particularly disappointing as they finished sixth in the Premier League, recording their lowest points tally (58) in 32 years.
Lawrenson went on to say: "Ten Hag is obviously still buying players. You can understand what he's doing - he's buying players that he knows, and also players that good in the dressing room. Last year, United's dressing room was all over the place.
"There were players there that knew they were leaving at the end of the season. They knew also that the interim manager [Ralf Rangnick] was leaving, and it was just a complete mess."
Confirming his captain earlier this month, Ten Hag said: "Harry Maguire is the captain. He's an established captain, he's achieved a lot of success, so I don't doubt this issue."
United legend Gary Neville added: "So the same United fans fuming with me for applauding the decision to keep Maguire as captain seem to be without knowing criticising the new manager for his decision. Maybe support Maguire and stop bullying him on here! The new manager obviously likes him."
Maguire has made 144 appearances for United since joining from Leicester in an £80million deal three years ago. The 46-cap international impressed during his first two seasons at the club but has struggled since Euro 2020, helping England reach the final.
