Harry Maguire announced on Sunday that manager Erik Ten Hag had informed him of his decision to change the captain of the club.
Maguire took to social media to express his disappointment and also thank the fans for their support while he was captain.
The Englishman said: “He [Ten Hag] 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.”
He added: “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 United and one of the proudest moments of my career to date.
Maguire also expressed his gratitude to former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: “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.”
It has not been an easy time for Maguire at United ever since he arrived in 2019 as the most expensive defender in football history. He was straightaway under scrutiny from the fans and pundits who believed he never justified his price tag.
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He was made captain by Solskjaer very early on and became one of the most important players in the team. The problems started arising when new boss Ten Hag wanted to play a more aggressive style of football and brought in Lissandro Martinez as a replacement as Maguire lacked the pace required by Ten Hag.
He has been on the fringes ever since the start of last season with the Dutchman even choosing to play Luke Shaw at centre-back ahead of him.
Now reports have come out that suggest Ten Hag stripping him off of the captaincy has been perceived as a signal by Maguire’s camp. Many reports have suggested that he now wants to leave United as he is going to be the fourth-choice centre-back and wants to play more often.
He also wants to preserve his place in the England squad for the upcoming UEFA Euros next year and believes he needs to play every week to achieve that. He played over 170 games for the Red Devils.
West Ham have expressed an interest in the 30-year-old but no deal has been agreed for the United man who looks to be on his way out of Old Trafford.
