4 Players Who Could Be Manchester United Captain Next Season (2022/23)

There is much speculation about whether Harry Maguire should retain the Manchester United captain's armband under Erik ten Hag next season.

The skipper had a torrid campaign last term and some believe that it would be better for the player and club if the responsibility is given to another player.

While Cristiano Ronaldo seemed the obvious choice, he has recently asked for a move away from United.

So, here are four other players that could don the armband under Ten Hag's revolution of the club.

Raphael Varane

The French centre-back seems like the perfect option for a captain.

He leads by example on the pitch, and while he does not appear like the most vocal in the squad, his silverware throughout his career speaks for itself.

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Varane is also a player who attracts no drama, unlike many of his United teammates.

The only issue with this is his recent injury record. If he's unable to stay fit for the most part of a season then the responsibility will often go elsewhere.

Bruno Fernandes

The attacking midfielder would've been the clear choice for this role a year back, after he had completed two extremely great personal campaigns with the club.

He also has a fiery personality, which at the time seemed like it could be a real positive as the designated leader on the pitch.

However, we have since seen the weaknesses of this first-hand last season.

Fernandes was hassling referees more than opponents at times, and his temper would only make him more erratic on the ball when things weren't going United's way.

Fernandes would certainly be a passionate captain, and with the options in the squad he is certainly one of the top choices.

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But, under Ten Hag he will also need to focus on adapting his own game before helping others with theirs, and that's one reason why United were wrong to give the armband to Maguire just over two years ago.

David de Gea

Some clubs will choose their captain on the length of time that they have played for the club. If this was the case then De Gea would be the obvious choice.

The shot-stopper has been at the club for 11 years now, and he started every Premier League fixture last term.

While there are certainly question marks over his ability to adapt to playing out of the back like Ten Hag will want him to, he will be able to try and prove that he can do so over the next season; with Dean Henderson being sent on loan.

De Gea has became more vocal in interviews over the last year, and while he can still work on what he says in these, there is certainly a passion that he's shown which can be valuable as a captain of the club.

Harry Maguire

Lastly, to many fans dismay, there is certainly a possibility that the responsibilities stay with Maguire.

The defender has received pelters over the course of the last year for his performances in Red, sometimes too harsh, sometimes not so much.

Maguire would be the first to admit that he was poor last term, but Ten Hag is clear that he wants to work with the defender.

The Dutch manager will want to see the 29-year-old return to his form of the season prior to last, where he was one of United's best players when they finished second in the league, and then went onto be crucial to England's campaign at Euro 2020.

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While it is easily argued that Maguire needs to move away from the armband so that he can focus solely on returning to that form, Ten Hag could still see him as the man to continue with the responsibility next season.