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Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Maguire
Josh Lawless
Manchester United's dressing room became "split" as a result of a dispute between Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo over the captaincy.
Maguire became United skipper within six months of joining the club from Leicester City in an £80 million switch after Ashley Young departed for Inter Milan.
But with a bigger spotlight on him, the England international has been widely criticised for his performances and a perceived lack of leadership qualities.
The scrutiny only increased when Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner and one of the game's greats, returned to United in the summer.
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Ronaldo banged in the goals, 18 to be exact, but could only help United to sixth-place with their worst points total of the Premier League era and minus one goal difference.
Things turned really ugly at Old Trafford and according to Simon Stone of the BBC, the squad was fractured over a "full-blown disagreement" over who should be the captain.
Ronaldo, who captains Portugal, is said to have been at the centre and the argument is said to have left Maguire unhappy.
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Despite a supposed power-struggle that brewed under interim boss Ralf Rangnick, Maguire has remained United captain.
But it's unclear whether new manager Erik ten Hag will persist with Maguire as his captain, with some reports claiming goalkeeper David De Gea is the favourite to take over armband if a change is deemed necessary.
Just a year into his second stint at United, Ronaldo's future has come into question and he has been linked with a shock move away after reportedly growing frustrated with the lack of transfers.
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Boyhood club Sporting have been linked, while Jose Mourinho and AS Roma are apparently "doing everything" to try and bring him back to Serie A.
And in a surprise development, it's emerged that new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has met with Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes to discuss a sensational swoop.