Making Harry Maguire Man Utd captain was a mistake, claims Rio Ferdinand

Ferdinand believes Manchester United made the wrong choice for club captain

Rio Ferdinand believes that Manchester United made a mistake appointing Harry Maguire as captain and claimed it was "too early" to do so. Maguire was given the armband after Ashley Young left at the start of 2020 - just six months after joining from Leicester City for £80 million, however has been widely criticised since taking on the role. Some sections of the United support have called for the club to remove the captaincy from Maguire, with some reports back in October suggesting that his teammates also questioned why he wears the armband. And BT Sport pundit Ferdinand has said that he wouldn't have appointed the England international as captain, insisting he should've been given more time to adapt to the club. "The fact that he has had the armband has given him that grace. Which it would do. I think he was given it too early," he told Vibe with Five.

"It’s a hard enough job coming into Manchester United, getting your feet under the table and stating to feel comfortable as it as without the added pressure of being captain.

"Being captain is a massive responsibility, there is history that goes with it, a big weight on your shoulders.

"You need to experience being there for a period of time to carry that weight. It was more important for Maguire to come in and concentrate on becoming a Manchester United mainstay than being captain."

The former United defender went on to add that if the decision was with him, he would have picked the club's longest-serving player, David De Gea, as captain instead. He said: "David De Gea would have been my choice because of the time he’s been there and he knows what it takes to win.

"This is all with hindsight but you have to got to think about these times that might come with someone like Harry Maguire, new at the club in that sense. And that added pressure is weighing on him heavily at the moment."

United will look to follow up their win against Burnley with a winning start to 2022 on Monday (3 January) when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford. Related links:

• Rangnick won’t convince players to stay at Manchester United if they wish to leave
• Gary Neville explains why Mauricio Pochettino is the right ‘fit’ for Man Utd
• Ferdinand praises ‘noticeable differences’ Rangnick has already made at Man Utd