EPL: Maguire confirms he’s been stripped of Manchester United captaincy

Harry Maguire has confirmed that he has been stripped of Manchester United captaincy after crunch talks with Erik Ten Hag.

In a statement published to Twitter on Sunday afternoon, Maguire, who has been linked with a potential move to West Ham in recent days, outlined his “extreme disappointment” at having the armband taken away following talks with United manager Erik ten Hag.

Sharing news of him being stripped of Manchester United captaincy, Maguire wrote;

“After discussions with the manager today he has informed me he is changing captain. He outlined his reasons to me and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt.

“So I wanted to say a massive thank you to the Manchester United fans for all their brilliant support whilst I’ve been wearing the armband. Since the day I took on the role, three and half years ago, it’s been a huge privilege to lead Manchester United and one of the proudest moments of my career to date.

“It’s one of the greatest honours in club football. I’ve done everything I possibly could to help United be successful – on and off the field. I will always be grateful to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for first giving me the responsibility and I wish whoever now takes it on every success and they will have my full support.”

After discussions with the manager today he has informed me he is changing captain. He outlined his reasons to me and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt.

So I wanted to say a massive thank you to the… pic.twitter.com/TAOS0eisF1

— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) July 16, 2023

Maguire was immediately handed the armband by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his arrival from Leicester in 2019 and initially impressed at Old Trafford. But despite shining with England, he has struggled for form at club level, with Ten Hag preferring Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in central defence.

There have been indications that Maguire would stay and fight for his future at Old Trafford but the latest blow nudges him closer to the exit door. Maguire is one of a number of United players free to leave the club this summer as Ten Hag looks to raise some funds for new arrivals.

Mason Mount has already arrived from Chelsea, while Andre Onana’s move from Inter Milan is close. A new No.9 is also on the radar but exits will be needed to balance the books.

Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund is United’s top target while they are also considering France international Randal Kolo Muani.