Three alternative options as Manchester United captain

The fallout from the Harry Maguire saga in Greece is still playing out.

Sky Sports report Maguire was given a suspended sentence by the Greek courts, which he made clear he intended to appeal.

Maguire was called up to the England squad on the same day and is expected to return to Manchester shortly.

What’s unclear is how the club will handle the situation internally and on the pitch.

Will Maguire receive unconditional support? Or will the club discipline him by stripping him of his club captain status?

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This dilemma was highlighted by BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, who suggested at least a conversation will take place.

Man Utd do not expect a resolution to Maguire’s appeal before the start of the PL season, so there will need to be a conversation over whether he remains captain. However, for now, the club are more interested in sorting out the call details.

— Pierre Simon (@ sistoney67) August 25, 2020

If United decide to transfer the captain’s armband to another player, the club have options.

Here’s a look at the three main options Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can choose from…

Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes has acted as a leader at Manchester United since the moment he signed for the club.

He’s been United’s most influential player since his arrival and Solskjaer sees him as a must-have.

Fernandes also displays Roy Keane’s warrior will to win when he is on the pitch, berating his teammates if they make a mistake and shaking fans and opposition players.

There were calls from fans for Fernandes to be given the captaincy after the loss to Sevilla, and his passion for the team shines through, making Maguire look soft in comparison.

Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba is another ‘diehard’ player in United’s midfield and has been at United for far longer than Fernandes.

Having been overlooked for the armbar under Jose Mourinho, Pogba will feel he deserves the chance this time around. He is respected by his teammates and has proven his leadership qualities with France.

Pogba looks set to stay at United, agent Mino Raiola told SkySports this week.

Just as being snubbed for the armband can unsettle him, if Pogba gets the captaincy it could seal the deal for him to put pen to paper on a new contract.

Marcus Rashford

What a buzz it would be to see Marcus Rashford, the team captain.

Rashford proved his leadership off the pitch through his charity work and battled a serious injury on the pitch to help United clinch a top-four berth.

Arguments against are that Rashford is still only 22 and it may be too early for him.

Rashford could also find themselves more turned than Pogba and Fernandes if United bring in new attacking players.

He is certainly a strong contender, and if a change were made, it would be considered.