Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has moved quickly to deny reports he may have to give up the captaincy to Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Sunday’s trip to Leeds United.
The Daily Mirror have this morning reported that the Red Devils pair are ‘embroiled in a power struggles’ over who should be currently captaining the club.
Due to concerns over Maguire’s form, interim boss Ralf Rangnick is said to have suggested the idea of temporarily relinquishing the captaincy in order to ease the pressure on his shoulders.
However, via his official Twitter account, Maguire has firmly denied those rumours, insisting that their focus is solely on this weekend’s clash with Leeds.
He wrote: “I’ve seen a lot of reports about this club that aren’t true and this is another. Not going to start posting about everything that is written but I needed to make this one clear. We’re united and focused on Sunday. Enjoy your day everyone.”
Reports over dressing room rifts at Old Trafford have emerged on numerous occasions in recent weeks, with Marcus Rashford also coming on Twitter earlier this week in an attempt to put to bed the speculation.
On Wednesday afternoon, Christian Falk, head of German publication Sport Bild, reported that all is not well within the squad at Old Trafford - with Ronaldo reportedly causing factions.
Taking to Twitter, Falk wrote: "English players like Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford & Co are irritated that Ronaldo wants to lead the dressing room with his own clique. There is a risk of a split in the team @ManUtd".
Rashford was quick to respond to Falk on social media and claimed that he was 'looking for divides' in the camp.
"Are we just making it up as we go along now then?" he quote-tweeted Falk. "Please stop looking for divides."
Man United are set to renew rivalries with Leeds again this weekend as Elland Road prepares to host this fixture with a full capacity in the Premier League for the first time since 2003.
Both sides have endured indifferent runs of form in recent weeks and the Whites will be looking to exact revenge for the 5-1 defeat on the opening day of the season.
