Maguire reveals loss of Man Utd captaincy as reliable report confirms West Ham interest

Joe Williams
Man Utd defender Harry Maguire smiles
Harry Maguire smiles as he walks round Old Trafford after a match.

Harry Maguire has revealed that he is “extremely disappointed” to lose the Man Utd captaincy with Erik ten Hag looking to change skipper.

The England international could leave this summer with the Red Devils defender dropping down the pecking order at Old Trafford last season.

It has become clear that Ten Hag’s preferred centre-back partnership at Man Utd is Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane with left-back Luke Shaw even filling in ahead of Maguire last term.

There have been rumours that Maguire could be sold this summer to help raise funds with his performances over the last couple of seasons called into question.

Ten Hag kept Maguire as captain last campaign but the centre-back has now revealed on social media that the Man Utd manager wants to make a change.

Maguire wrote on Instagram and Twitter: “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.

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“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.”

There have been rumours of West Ham interest in Maguire this summer and now BBC Sport‘s Simon Stone has confirmed that the Hammers are ‘interested’ with the England international ‘known to be among the players Ten Hag would now sell if a suitable offer came in’.

The report adds:

‘Maguire is mindful of needing to play regularly next season before Euro 2024 in Germany next summer. However, he is known to be happy at Old Trafford and is proud of his status as captain.

‘In addition, after overcoming a number of injury issues last term, Maguire feels he will play a full part in United’s season.

‘West Ham manager David Moyes is keen to make additions to his squad following the sale of skipper Declan Rice, which could generate £105m.

‘Moyes is interested in Ajax’s Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez as a possible replacement for Rice, but Maguire would be a useful addition at the back, where both members of West Ham’s first-choice pairing – Kurt Zouma and Nayed Aguerd – suffered injury issues last season.’

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