Ralf Rangnick has reportedly asked Harry Maguire to ‘relinquish’ the Manchester United captaincy following a ‘conversation’ with the defender and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Maguire has been a target for criticism this season and has had his role as captain questioned, with the Mirror reporting that Rangnick is considering change as he bids to help the centre-back rediscover his form.
Discussions have reportedly been held between Maguire, Rangnick and Cristiano Ronaldo over the the former relinquishing the armband until the end of the season, though he is said to be ‘reluctant’ to give up the position amid fears of losing the captaincy on a permanent basis.
Ronaldo’s return to the Red Devils is said to have seen the Portugal captain take a leading role within the dressing room, with his influence having seen Maguire feel ‘marginalised’ and ‘undermined’.
Rangnick’s decision to ask Ronaldo to mentor the squad’s developing players has been viewed as a further challenge to Maguire’s captaincy and there is understood to be a ‘growing belief’ within to the dressing room that the 37-year-old could now replace the under-pressure defender as captain.
Maguire was appointed as club captain during his debut season with the club, replacing the departed Ashley Young after impressing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his £80m move from Leicester.
Rangnick publicly said he saw ‘no reason’ to change the captaincy at the club earlier this month, whilst Marcus Rashford took to social media to deny claims of a divided dressing room.
