Should Manchester United Re-Appoint Harry Maguire As Captain?

Harry Maguire has enjoyed a remarkable career renaissance over the past year after looking likely to depart Manchester United in the summer of 2023. The English defender was constantly criticised over his performances, with every single touch of the ball under fans and media's microscopes.

The 31-year-old should be proud of how he's turned things around and reclaimed his place in the United team. He managed this under intense pressure at the start of last season after he'd spent months on the outskirts of the first team dealing with losing the club captaincy.

Erik ten Hag decided to take such responsbilities away from Maguire in light of the constant abuse he was getting around 2023. It seemed as though a Red Devils exit was the only outcome but he stayed and worked on getting himself back into the team. He's become a favorite under new head coach Ruben Amorim and maybe the Portuguese will opt to put the armband back on him.

Harry Maguire likely to captain United vs Newcastle

Bruno Fernandes' sending off in a 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers (December 26) means United's skipper will miss tonight's (December 30) clash against Newcastle United. Two silly fouls against Wolves led to his dismissal and Amorim blanked his compatriot once he headed past him and down the Molineux tunnel.

The question turns to who replaces Fernandes for the Newcastle game and leads the side at Old Trafford. Maguire must be under consideration, given he has years of experience in the role and is one of a few who have impressed this season.

The Englishman could cause a permanent captaincy switch

It seems as though any United player who wears the captain's armband becomes enemy number one not only at the club but in English football. Maguire was villainised during his three years as skipper but suddenly fans and the media realised that footballers are human.

Fernandes has a reputation of riling up the opposition while also a questionable temperament when it comes to leadership. He's a magnificent playmaker on his day but maybe taking the captaincy away from him will help him get back to thriving rather than dealing with the English media who go overboard with every mistake he makes.

Maguire has assumed the role of the Red Devils' hero in the public's eye and maybe can do no wrong now there's been a collective realisation that he's not half bad. He has the character and the form that could help guide Amorim's United out of a gloomy situation where they sit 14th in the Premier League after 18 games played.