Erik ten Hag has been told he’s made a “mistake” in allowing Harry Maguire to stay on as Manchester United captain.
The role was hotly debated among fans after the England international’s tough season, with some forecasting Ten Hag to strip him of the role. But in a press conference on Monday ahead of United’s friendly with Liverpool today, the new boss confirmed Maguire would be retaining the armband.
"Harry Maguire is the captain,” he said. “I have to get to know all the players, but he's an established captain and he's achieved a lot of success. I don't see this as an issue."
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However, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy does. He told talkSPORT that he believes Ten Hag has made an error of judgement.
He said: “He (Ten Hag) thinks that’s the right thing to do, but I think he’s probably made a mistake. I think it was time for a change of captaincy and leadership at United.
“I’d give it to whoever he brings in who is big enough and brave enough to take it on. I wouldn’t have Harry Maguire as captain next season, but that doesn’t mean I would get rid of him.
“I think he’s a good player, I just think it’s too much for him, he’s struggled with it and his performances would improve if he didn’t have it.”
Murphy explained how he thinks taking the captaincy off Maguire would free him up to perform better. He added: “As a player he is capable of more, and the best way to get that out of him is to take the captaincy from him.
“Being the captain of Manchester United, that responsibility is a burden and it’s drained him. I wouldn’t take it off him as a kick up the backside, but for the benefit of the player.
“Manchester United is a massive club, the biggest in the world, and being captain there needs someone who is capable of dealing with that better."
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