Dutch boss Erik ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford in the summer (Picture: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has dropped a hint as to who will replace Harry Maguire as Manchester United captain.
Dutch boss Ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford in the summer and despite confirming that Maguire would continue as captain in July, the England international centre-back has struggled for game time and has mostly been placed on the bench.
Maguire has featured across just 12 games for United so far this season, playing a total of 614 minutes.
He lost his place in the side before the World Cup but Ten Hag has since suggested Maguire could force his way back into the team after helping England reach the quarter-finals in Qatar.
Ten Hag still appears to have doubts over the 29-year-old, though, and picked left-back Luke Shaw as a makeshift centre-half in United’s recent wins over Nottingham Forest and Wolves.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has urged Maguire to find a new club in the January transfer window due to his lack of playing time.
However, United are adamant Maguire will not leave Old Trafford this month and will instead make a decision over his long-term future at the end of the season.
Harry Maguire has featured across just 12 games for Man Utd this season (Picture: Getty)
Meanwhile, Ten Hag, speaking to the United website on Friday, dropped a hint that he will soon make Bruno Fernandes the new captain of the club.
Fernandes is the de facto vice-captain and has worn the armband when Maguire has not featured this season.
‘I think he’s an example [for other players],’ Ten Hag said about Fernandes. ‘That’s also the reason why he often wears the [arm]band.
‘That’s exemplified by his energy. He’s so good in transition, both ways, and that’s one of the key elements in today’s football.
‘He’s so good in it and he gives so much quality in that part of the game. The team’s really happy with him and I’m really happy with him.’
MORE : ‘Keep the focus!’ – Erik ten Hag tells Marcus Rashford where he needs to improve
‘He’s an example [for other players]…’
