Erik ten Hag says there’s a core leadership group at Manchester United (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Erik ten Hag insists there are six ‘leaders’ at Manchester United after supporters criticised his decision to hand Cristiano Ronaldo the captaincy for the defeat to Aston Villa.
United were well beaten by Unai Emery’s men in the Spaniard’s first game in charge of the Midlands club.
The Red Devils were without the suspended Bruno Fernandes, while Victor Lindelof was named over Harry Maguire in the starting line-up.
In their absence, it seemed likely that David De Gea would be given the armband but Ten Hag wanted an outfield player to lead the side and gave the captaincy to Ronaldo.
That decision irked some supporters, who feel Ronaldo does not deserve the captaincy just a fortnight after refusing to come on against Tottenham.
But Ten Hag insists Ronaldo is just one of six ‘leaders’ at the club and the likes of Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez could also be named captain.
United were well beaten by Villa (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
‘It’s about Harry Maguire is on the bench,’ Ten Hag said.
‘Bruno is our captain, not available, and then it’s about David de Gea: leader, but goalie is far away from the outfield.
‘Then Casemiro is the leader, Licha [Martinez] can be a leader, Casemiro is not speaking 100% perfect English, and then Cristiano is the leader, especially [he] is the leader of the team so he has the band, clear.’
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United take on Villa again on Thursday in the League Cup third round at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is expected to ring the changes, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka in line for his first appearance of the season.
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They weren’t present at Villa Park…
