Erik ten Hag has backed Harry Maguire to continue as Manchester United 's captain for the 2022-23 season.
The 29-year-old defender has been under intense scrutiny after leading the Red Devils through their worst season in Premier League history, with critics claiming that he should be stripped of the armband. But after months of debate, new manager Ten Hag has now confirmed that Maguire will remain United's skipper, offering him a huge vote of confidence.
"Harry Maguire is the captain," Ten Hag told a news conference ahead of Tuesday's pre-season friendly with Liverpool in Bangkok. "He's an established captain, he's achieved a lot of success, so I don't doubt this issue."
Maguire had been at the centre of a tug-of-war over the captain's armband with none other than Cristiano Ronaldo during the Red Devils' disastrous 21-22 campaign. The former Leicester City stalwart added fuel to the fire last week by liking an Instagram post which claimed Ronaldo had decided to hand in a transfer request after having his wages slashed because United failed to quality for the Champions League.
Red Devils legend Gary Neville quickly took to Twitter to agree with the new United boss' decision, saying: "So the same United fans fuming with me for applauding the decision to keep Maguire as captain seem to be without knowing criticising the new manager for his decision. Maybe support Maguire and stop bullying him on here! The new manager obviously likes him."
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First installed as captain by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer less than six months into his first season at Old Trafford, Maguire immediately stepped up to the plate on and off the pitch. A key figure in the club's charity work during the Covid-19 pandemic, the England international is certainly appreciated in the dressing room, despite his poor form last term.
Red Devils centre-back partner Victor Lindelof recently heaped praise on his teammate, declaring to ESPN: "I think he's a great captain. Harry is a great player and a great captain as well. He's a very nice guy off the pitch, he tries to talk a lot and communicate with the players. It's normal, if you're the captain of the biggest club in the world, that people outside will speak. But I don't think it's a problem for him and I think everyone trusts him as well."
Booed by both England and United fans in recent months, multiple ex-players have leaped to Maguire's defence, including Arsenal legend Martin Keown. Slamming the criticism as "disrespectful," Keown added in his column for the Mail : "You hope Erik ten Hag will use him properly, noticing the statistics state United concede less than a goal a game and have lost just twice when Maguire and Raphael Varane start together.
"I was criticised when I made a mistake - that comes with the territory of being a centre half and playing for a big club - but I didn't have to contend with social media which can be more impactful and personal. He's got a good network of family and friends to help him cope with the deluge of comments. They're the people he needs to listen to - not the outside noise. Maguire is more than capable of pulling himself out of this difficult patch and enjoying his career again."
