DEVILS IN DISGUISE
Five candidates to take over from Harry Maguire as Man Utd captain if he’s axed next season including Cristiano Ronaldo
MANCHESTER UNITED interim boss Ralf Rangick revealed this week that Harry Maguire's role as captain of the club could be put to a player vote.
But who would be the best candidate to take over from the England defender were United to install a new skipper next season?
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Rangnick suggested if he was permanent boss he would let the players decide the captain, as he did while managing in his native Germany.
Incoming gaffer Erik Ten Hag will have a decision to make when he arrives in the summer after Maguire has been subjected to stick for his performances this campaign.
Maguire was made skipper by Ole Gunnar Solskajer just five months after joining the club in 2019 for £80million.
And while there is still the prospect of him continuing on in the position, here SunSport take a look at the potential candidates were he to be replaced.
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Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo seems like the obvious candidate given his vast experience - and also being captain of Portugal.
But he might not be the best option for the long-term, given his Manchester United deal expires at the end of next season.
Bruno Fernandes
Playmaker Fernandes is also in with a shout if Maguire is stripped of the captaincy.
Unlike Ronaldo the 27-year-old is a long-term prospect, having recently penned a new five-year deal with the club.
Fernandes skippered the side in the absence of Maguire in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, and has worn the armband a further five times in the Prem this campaign.
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David De Gea
Perhaps the only player whose position is guaranteed in every game, keeper De Gea would offer a calming presence at the back.
It could also be beneficial to have De Gea as skipper as the Spaniard would be able to command the team with a view of the entire pitch in front of him.
Raphael Varane
Varane is a potential candidate, but he has been plagued by injuries in his first season at the club.
And the prospect of handing the armband from one centre-back to another could potentially cause disruptions.
Nevertheless the 29-year-old offers experience, having skippered both Real Madrid and France in the past.
Scott McTominay
The most left-field of the candidates on this list, but there's no denying McTominay is a born leader.
Whether captaining Manchester United at just 25-years-old is too much of a burden is a possibility, but McTominay does have experience with the armband.
He was stand-in skipper during an FA Cup game against Watford back in January 2021, scoring the only goal of the game during a 1-0 win, proving that being captain didn't impact his game.
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Alternatively there are expected to a number of incomings at OId Trafford this summer.
And Ten Hag could choose to appoint one his signings as captain if none of the current crop stand out to him.
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