According to reports from British media, manager Erik ten Hag has informed Harry Maguire that he will no longer be the captain of Manchester United in the upcoming 2023/24 season. Instead, Bruno Fernandes has been chosen as the new team leader.
This decision is expected to be officially announced by the club before their first friendly match against Leeds United on July 12. Despite the change in his role, Maguire has responded positively and expressed his willingness to stay and fight for his place in the team.
Throughout the previous season, when Maguire was unavailable, Fernandes often took on the captain's armband. Now, it will be officially handed over to the Portuguese midfielder for the upcoming season.
This move demonstrates the significant authority that Ten Hag holds within the dressing room. Recently, he made the decision to exclude David de Gea from the team's plans, despite the goalkeeper's 12-year tenure at Manchester United.
Regarding De Gea, Ten Hag expressed his gratitude for the goalkeeper's contributions and wished him the best in his future endeavors. This indicates a clear shift in the direction and dynamics of the team under the management of the former Ajax coach.
Manchester United is undergoing changes under Ten Hag's leadership. They have made successful signings this summer, including the acquisition of Mason Mount from Chelsea. The club has also reached an agreement to sign Andre Onana as a replacement for De Gea, and they are actively pursuing Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta to further strengthen the squad.
