Maguire reveals honest truth about losing Man United's captaincy to Fernandes
Harry Maguire has revealed he wanted Bruno Fernandes to replace him as Manchester United captain after former manager Erik ten Hag stripped him of the armband in 2023.
The English centre-back lost the captaincy after losing his place in the team in the 2022/23 season, making eight starts in the Premier League.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez were the starting centre-backs, with Victor Lindelof replacing the latter when he was injured.
Maguire played 31 of the club’s 62 games in that campaign, and Fernandes served as captain in his absence.
The former Leicester City man was happy that the Portugal international replaced him as Man United captain.
He told Rio Ferdinand Presents: “When I was the captain, Bruno gave me the full support, I leant on him a lot.
“Whenever I had decisions to make, I had people around me like (David) De Gea, Bruno, Nemanja (Matic), I had good and experienced pros, and I always leant on them.
“Erik (ten Hag) decided to change the Captain because I wasn’t playing in that first season. I really wanted it to go to Bruno if I am being honest. I told Bruno the same thing, and he came up to me and I said, ‘Congratulations’.”
Fernandes has been United’s best player since he arrived at the club. He had been named the club’s Player of the Season twice before he was named the captain.
With Maguire losing the captaincy, the Portugal international was always going to be a strong candidate to replace him.
The 32-year-old has been able to fight his way back at United and is now considered one of the club’s most vital players, particularly under manager Ruben Amorim.
Amorim’s three-man defence suits the former Leicester man as he has played as the central centre-back, where his lack of pace and agility is rarely exposed.
Maguire also reflected on Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford in 2021, admitting that United ‘didn’t adapt well enough for him‘ as a team.
The England international is poised to play a vital role for Man United next season as they seek to avoid a repeat of last season’s disappointment.
Article written by Henry Thornton .