Rangnick backs up Maguire over ‘nonsense’ Man Utd rumours

Ralf Rangnick has backed up Harry Maguire for calling out a “nonsense” article claiming the Man Utd defender could be replaced as captain by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Daily Mirror claimed that Maguire and Ronaldo were ’embroiled in a power struggle’ at Old Trafford with a building ‘friction’ between the two Man Utd players over the captaincy.

It was reported that Maguire feared losing ‘the captaincy on a permanent basis’ with Rangnick said to be considering a change to take the pressure off the under-performing centre-back.

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Maguire came out and rubbished the claims this morning and now Rangnick has said that the England international being captain has “never been an issue”.

When asked about the newspaper article, Rangnick said it was “absolutely nonsense” and that Maguire will remain as captain.

“I’ve never spoken with players about captaincy,” Rangnick told reporters. “It’s never been an issue with me. Harry is our captain and will stay our captain.

“I’m not frustrated at all because I know it is not true – all the other things I don’t listen to that noise because I focus on preparing the team.

“I have heard about what was written – yes there were players that were unhappy at the end of the window. This has improved and the atmosphere in the locker room is better than it was a few weeks ago.

“It’s about performing well and showing togetherness on the pitch. That’s what we can influence.”

Special moments between @HarryMaguire93 and @RiverTheChamp ❤️#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 18, 2022

There have been other numerous rumours of unrest in the Man Utd dressing room over Mason Greenwood’s arrest and the way Jesse Lingard has been treated by Rangnick.

The latest speculation insisted that some Man Utd players were unhappy at Rangnick’s training methods and that they jokingly referred to assistant boss Chris Armas as fictional soccer coach Ted Lasso.

On the fitness of Edinson Cavani, Rangnick added: “Edinson Cavani will still be out as he is still having some problems with his groin and his stomach. The same is true with Tom Heaton, apart from that, everybody else seems to be available.

“Nemanja Matic returned to training today and he looked well. He may be available against Leeds but definitely in the next two games.”