Manchester United are set for a captaincy change amid Harry Maguire's uncertain future with Sir Alex Ferguson previously outlining the necessary qualities.
Erik ten Hag is set to name the first skipper of his tenure having inherited Maguire as the man with the armband. The centre-half quickly fell out of favour at Old Trafford and the club are looking to move him on in the coming weeks, potentially leaving the role of captain vacant.
Ferguson had a number of impressive captains during his trophy-laden tenure. Roy Keane perhaps the most memorable whilst the likes of Eric Cantona, Steve Bruce and Gary Neville also led the team. It was Bryan Robson though who stood out above the rest for the Scot.
Speaking in 2021 he said: “The players loved him. They responded to him and he was the longest-serving captain in my time anyway. It’s difficult for a captain because sometimes he has to tell the truth to players, you know? The encouragement he’s got to give them sometimes can be quite volatile and he was like that, but the players did love him.
“They appreciated the time he took on them and another thing, he’s the only captain I knew who could make a decision on the pitch. He didn’t need to look over to me. He would do that and that’s unusual. In fact it’s very unusual because he had the balls to do that.”
The Sun has reported that Maguire, irrespective of where he's playing his football next season, will be stripped of the armband with Bruno Fernandes set to take on the role. The Portuguese playmaker has previously donned the armband but is set to be trusted long-term.
Ten Hag previously talked up Fernandes, citing him as the team's skipper when Maguire officially still held that role. He told MUTV: "Of course he's ready, it's Bruno Fernandes. He's tough, he takes responsibility, he wants to play and, of course, we're happy he's there because he's a big players for us and he makes a big impact in every game. He's our captain, so we're really happy."
Fernandes has copped criticism for his demeanour on the pitch in the past with former United stars lamenting him for taking aim at his team-mates. The player himself is adamant he is never "disrespectful" despite accepting that he does cross the line at times.
"Sometimes I go over the line," he told Sky Sports. "I know that. It can happen in the game and it is difficult to control emotions. But I never try to be disrespectful with anyone. We are all competitive and we all want to win. The way I play and feel the game, the passion I feel for it, is how I feel better and how I give the most for my team and to my club. That's why I play in that way."
