Nemanja Vidic, a former Manchester United captain and centre-back, has outlined the issue with Harry Maguire’s captaincy. When Erik ten Hag was appointed as the club’s manager at the start of the current season, Maguire kept the armband despite many thought he should have given it up. But, rather of upsetting the status quo, the new manager retained the captain appointed back in 2020.
However, it has become evident throughout the Dutchman’s first season in charge that the England international is not in his plans and has rapidly dropped down the pecking order. Harry Maguire is no longer a starter when all of United’s defensive options are available, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez the preferred ones.
Vidic believes Harry Maguire is losing dressing room’s respect with inconsistent form
With Harry Maguire constantly benched, Bruno Fernandes has taken over as captain and Ten Hag is awaiting a decision on the long-term holder of the position. The former Leicester City defender’s poor form at Old Trafford hasn’t helped his cause, with all indications leading to him being released at the end of the season.
With injuries to Martinez and Varane, Maguire is expected to be in Ten Hag’s starting XI for the Premier League’s final stretch, and with that comes the burden of leadership. Vidic, who led United under Sir Alex Ferguson, understands the pressures of the job and has identified his successor’s major weakness.
During an appearance on ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE YouTube channel, the Premier League icon stated that Harry Maguire’s personal issues will likely contribute to some of his colleagues ignoring some of his demands. Vidic outlined that the 30-year-old’s inconsistency is causing him to lose respect in the Manchester United dressing room. The ex-defender explained:
“Maguire has a problem because he doesn’t perform well. When you don’t perform well it’s difficult to say to someone what to do. I think that Maguire is doing well for the national team, he was great for Leicester. But obviously, he’s struggling to perform for Manchester United the way he’s performing for other clubs.
“It’s difficult to gain that type of respect, it’s nothing against Maguire now. In general, any captain has to be first, has to show an example, has to play well and has to fight for the club and then everybody else will do it.”
However, the five-time league champion was far more complimentary of the guy who has taken Maguire’s spot in the United starting lineup. Martinez, who was signed from Ajax in the summer, possesses some of the same characteristics that helped him become a legend at the club, according to Vidic. The Serbian was appreciative about Argentina’s World Cup winner, adding:
“I like him actually, the first thing I saw is that he likes to defend. I had doubts when he came because of his height, but he’s good in the air. He knows how to position himself. I think he’s a good character and good in the dressing room. He has that mentality, he is a fighter.”
Harry Maguire may not even be at Old Trafford next season, since according to claims that he is one of whopping 15 players available for sale at the club in the forthcoming transfer window. Ten Hag wishes to continue his overhaul after spending over £200m last summer. The Dutchman’s foremost priority remains buying a quality striker to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, with the likes of Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen constantly linked with a move to Old Trafford.