Erik ten Hag “will decide Manchester United leadership group” after Bruno Fernandes replaced Harry Maguire as captain

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will decide on a leadership group for next season, after making the decision to appoint Bruno Fernandes. as captain

Fernandes was confirmed as the new Red Devils captain last week, after Harry Maguire revealed his armband had been removed.

The Portugal international had become United’s de facto captain last season when Maguire lost his place in the team for long spells.

Fernandes managed the team on 45 occasions, with the midfielder making 37 Premier League starts compared to nine for Maguire.

Both Fernandes and Maguire had been part of Man United’s leadership group last season, along with club veteran David de Gea and substitute goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

Harry Maguire had been stripped of the armband but may still feature in the leadership group

Goalkeeper Tom Heaton confirmed that the team is waiting for Ten Hag to decide on the new group.

De Gea left the club after 12 years earlier this month following the expiration of his contract at the end of June.

Heaton has confirmed that the Man United squad is waiting for Ten Hag to form the leadership group ahead of the new campaign.

‘No, not yet, it’s still too early. There has also been a captaincy change but I’m sure it will be sorted out at some point,” Heaton said, as reported by the Telegraph.

‘This club sets the highest possible standards and you expect the leadership group to really set those standards.

“I was a part of that last season and I look forward to moving forward as well. The manager really put it together. He organizes that.

“We have a lot of leaders in our locker room and we get together if things need to be addressed or sorted or talk to the manager.”

Casemiro could be among the contenders to be added to the leading group, after the former Real Madrid player captained Manchester United when Fernandes was substituted in their pre-season friendly against Arsenal.

Maguire’s position in the group could be uncertain as the defender continues to be linked with departures from the club after losing his place in the side.

Ten Hag will decide the leadership group to support Fernandes before the new season

David de Gea was part of the management group last season before leaving the club

The midfielder Casemiro could be one of the candidates to be included in the new group formed by Ten Hag

United will listen to offers for Maguire this summer but are not actively trying to sell him.

Ten Hag believes the player can focus on his game now that he’s not burdened by the captaincy, and he challenged Maguire to fight Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof for a spot.

“I think everyone can understand that for a player it’s a disappointment, but it can work very well for the team and for Harry,” Ten Hag said last week.

‘He is an important player. We need four centers at least. You have seen that last season we played so many games and we are very happy to have Harry in our team.

He has potential and it’s up to him to get his job. Now we can focus more on his role.