Wayne Rooney believes the decision to strip Harry Maguire of the Manchester United captaincy shows that Erik ten Hag has no faith in the centre-back and has encouraged him to leave.
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On Sunday, the England international confirmed he would no longer wear the armband with United later releasing a statement saying a new captain would be announced ‘in due course’ after Ten Hag had informed the players.
Maguire dramatically fell down the pecking order at Old Trafford last season and was effectively the fifth-choice option behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and even left-back Luke Shaw.
The 30-year-old is reportedly ‘angry, shocked and upset’ with Ten Hag’s decision to remove him as captain and keen to restart his career elsewhere – something that Rooney believes would be in the best interests of everyone.
Speaking to The Athletic, the DC United manager said: ‘To have the armband taken off you, how does he move forward with the club?
‘That shows the manager really doesn’t believe in him. It leaves Harry in a position where he has to think on what he does moving forward. The manager has shown he is not part of the plans.
‘I’m sure Harry will want to go and play — for himself, for his England career — to put himself in the best position to be as successful as he can. The best thing now is probably for him to move.’
United finished third in the Premier League last season, returning to the Champions League in the process, and also lifted the Carabao Cup to end their six-year trophy drought, with Rooney very impressed by Ten Hag’s impact.
He continued: ‘There were huge improvements. Some really good signings and some good experienced players who helped the team.
‘They’re competing with one of the best teams, probably, of all time in Manchester City. United are trying to get back challenging for the league title and I do believe they’re on the right path. There is a lot of work to be done but they are taking the right steps to do it.’
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Rooney also touched on the ongoing saga surrounding the sale of the club and feels the time has come for the Glazers to step aside, though did suggest some of the criticism against the family is a little overblown.
He explained: ‘They have been very successful but it has probably got to a place where the fans really want a change. They want to maybe go in a different direction.
‘It needs that excitement back, not just for the first team but to develop the academy and behind the scenes. I’m sure they will get the credit they deserve for the job they have done, but also they’re going to get the negativity from fans who never seem to acknowledge what they’ve done for the club. I’m sure it will be split, but I think a change is needed.’
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