Cristiano Ronaldo asked if he could replace Harry Maguire as Manchester United captain in 2021-22 Season- Reports
Cristiano Ronaldo: (Image Source: Twitter)
ESPN has reported that Cristiano Ronaldo asked former Manchester United interim coach Ralf Rangnick to appoint him captain of Manchester United ahead of Harry Maguire in the second half of the 2021-22 season. However, the German manager refused his request and the captain’s armband remained with Maguire, who is still the club captain, at present.
Ronaldo, eventually, ended up terminating his contract with Manchester United in November of 2022 ahead of the World Cup, having spoken out against the club’s hierarchy and manager Erik ten Hag in an explosive televised interview with Piers Morgan. In the interview, the Portuguese striker had also questioned Rangnick’s credentials, following his short spell in charge of the Red Devils before Ten Hag took over in the summer.
This reported revelation has not been the biggest obstacle that Maguire has faced in his Manchester United career after joining them from Leicester City in 2019 for a record-breaking sum of £80 million. The English centre-back has come in for near-constant criticism for his sub-par on-field performances and has even been advised to stay off social media for that reason.
Maguire remains United’s club captain under ten Hag as well, despite featuring less regularly under the Dutchman. With Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez seemingly having established themselves as Ten Hag’s first-choice defensive pairing, Maguire has fallen down the pecking order at United.
The ESPN report added that the United coaching staff have highlighted Maguire’s tendency to rush out of position to win tackles, combined with his lack of recovery, as an area of concern. However, Maguire has done enough during his time on the pitch to retain the armband until at least the end of this season.
After turning out for England in the international break this past week, Maguire will be hoping to represent United in their Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Sunday. Ronaldo, who was in goal-scoring form for Portugal, will be back in action for Al-Nassr on Tuesday as they face Al-Adalah in the Saudi Pro League.
