Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been told that Casemiro should be his new captain.
Who dons the armband has been a hot topic since United slipped to an astonishing 7-0 defeat vs rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Bruno Fernandes has been tasked with the honour this season with club captain Harry Maguire only playing a bit-part role.
Fernandes was heavily criticised for his attitude and body language at Anfield as pundits went on to question his leadership credentials. Casemiro has, meanwhile, been lauded for showcasing such qualities since his £60million move from Real Madrid and is the preferred choice for supporters.
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Looking ahead to the Europa League showdown with Real Betis on Thursday night, there will be added focus on the team sheet as Ten Hag ponders whether or not to make a change with the captaincy. According to former United defender Gary Pallister, there is one stand-out choice.
Speaking as part of a promotion for Betting Sites, he said: "Casemiro is a captain in waiting. I think everyone's been impressed with the way he's come in with the winning mentality he's brought from Real Madrid.
"I don't think they've had many leaders recently. When I was at the club we were fortunate to have the likes of Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson and Roy Keane and Paul Ince. These guys were warriors on a football pitch. Bruno is different to that, as is Harry Maguire. I don't think they've got that warrior mentality."
On the Liverpool defeat, Pallister continued: "There was a lot of petulance out there with players testing the referee and Bruno could possibly have been sent off. He wasn't running back and he just quit when on the ball at one stage. That was endemic to what was going on last year."
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