Fernandes has replaced Maguire as club captain (Picture: Getty)

Raphael Varane says Erik ten Hag’s decision to strip Harry Maguire of the Manchester United captaincy shows the manager is ‘not scared’ to make big calls.

Bruno Fernandes was confirmed as United’s new skipper this week, replacing Maguire who was handed the armband just six months after his arrival from Leicester City in 2019.

The England international started just eight league matches last season after losing his place to Lisandro Martinez. Fernandes meanwhile was virtually ever-present in the manager’s starting XI, missing just one league match through suspension.

Ten Hag has made a number of big calls since his arrival last summer, notably dropping Cristiano Ronaldo from his side with Marcus Rashford also benched for disciplinary reasons in January.

Having also replaced David de Gea with Andre Onana, Varane says his latest decision shows the manager is ready to lead by example.

‘He wants a team with character and he’s the leader so he has to show it himself,’ Varane told ESPN.

‘He’s not scared to take these decisions and take that responsibility. That is what we expect from the manager. He did it so I think, with things like this, you show by example.

Varane also part of United’s ‘leadership group’ (Picture: Getty)

‘He knows exactly what he wants. He’s shown that determination and from the first day we’ve known exactly what we’ve had to do and where he wants to go.

‘It’s all clear for the players and for the team and we have a good connection with the manager.’

While Fernandes is the new captain, ten Hag has selected a ‘leadership group’ in the United dressing room which includes Varane, along with Rashford, Casemiro, Luke Shaw and veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

‘We need players with character and personality,’ Varane said.

‘If you want to win big trophies you need that kind of character. The difference between a good team and a top team is sometimes something mental.

‘We need to believe, we need determination and the character of the players is something important.’

MORE : Louis Saha warns Erik ten Hag he is taking a ‘risk’ by signing Rasmus Hojlund for Manchester United

MORE : Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga turns down Everton transfer because of Sean Dyche’s tactics

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Bruno Fernandes will wear the armband next season.