Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnic k has explained that incoming manager Erik ten Hag may well opt to decide the club's captain by asking the club's players to vote the best candidate.
That has left Harry Maguire, who is currently in possession of the armband at Old Trafford, vulnerable to being deposed by his United team-mates in an election for the position.
Rangnick explained: "I strongly believe that the captain should be elected by the team because he’s called the team manager, and we always did that. In Germany we always had a board of four or five players, we called it the ‘spielkapitan’, elected by the players, the player with the highest amount of votes was the team captain at the end."
United's dressing room have their own alliances and we give the inside track on how the club's players are likely to vote for among the top-five candidates for the job.
Harry Maguire
The current captain, 29, has endured a miserable season on and off the pitch, with poor form on it and criticism off it leading many to question whether he will even be at United next season, let alone still be a candidate the captain's armband in any potential vote.
Maguire's authority has been undermined by a dressing-room power struggle with Ronaldo, while his form has not merited his continued selection, although injury has now brought a premature end to his season. Maguire's chances of keeping the armband appear slim.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The obvious choice to be captain, given his experience, profile, professionalism and huge influence. But there is a major question mark over whether the 37-year-old will be at United next season, given they are unlikely to be playing in the Champions League.
A five-time Ballon d'Or winner, a five-time Champions League winner and the top scorer in the history of men's football with 807 goals, Ronaldo would have no problem commanding the immediate respect of the club's dressing room, but with United set to buy a striker this summer, he is likely to see his appearances rationed if he decides to stay on next season.
David De Gea
Currently United's longest-serving player (excluding those without loan spells such as. Jesse Lingard), De Gea is the one player whose place is guaranteed on form, marking him out as a major contender for the captaincy on that alone. Like Ronaldo, he would have no problem asserting his authority in the dressing room.
It has been noticeable this season how many times De Gea has fronted up to the media and spoken well in the wake of defeats, instead of current skipper Maguire. With 483 appearances over 11 years and with his form still meriting his status as United No.1, De Gea, 31, has earned the right to wear the armband on a permanent basis.
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Bruno Fernandes
His form may have nosedived this season, after such an impressive start to his United career, but having the captaincy may prove the catalyst to help him rediscover it. Fernandes has unquestionably suffered from the arrival of Ronaldo – he is no longer the talisman to whom the whole team looks and his confidence has suffered as a result.
But if Ronaldo leaves this summer, Fernandes, 27, is likely to benefit from that and United's player, and Erik Ten Hag may, feel the extra responsibility of leading the team – as he has done on occasions this season – can bring out the best in him again. Would need to curb his constant whining and propensity for theatrics whenever tackled robustly.
Scott McTominay
One of the straightest talkers in the United dressing-room and a player who has the club at heart, given his journey through the youth ranks, McTominay, 25, is certainly captaincy material in terms of his mentality and work ethic.
Whether he will be a regular under new boss Ten Hag, with United certain to sign a central midfielder this summer, remains to be seen, and that may cast doubt over his captaincy credentials in the eyes of his players in any vote. But in a squad with characters who wilt when the going gets tough, McTominay could be the strong leader United and Ten Hag need.
