Manchester United have stripped Harry Maguire of the captaincy, the club announced on Sunday.
The decision comes after a difficult season for Maguire, who has been criticized for his performances, and a discussion with the club's manager, Erik ten Hag, who has decided to appoint a new captain for the team.
"We have a clear plan and standards for all our players, and we are totally committed to helping Harry reach his full potential," said Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
"We believe that this is the best decision for both Manchester United and Harry in the long term."
Maguire was appointed captain by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020. He has been a regular in the United team since joining from Leicester City in 2019, but his form has dipped in recent months.
The 29-year-old has been criticized for his leadership and his ability to defend. He has also been the subject of abuse from fans.
In a statement on his social media pages, Maguire said he was "disappointed" to be stripped of the captaincy.
"I've always given 100% for the club and I'm proud to have captained the side," he said.
"I'm looking forward to helping the team in any way I can in the future."
It is not yet clear who will replace Maguire as captain. Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo are two possible candidates.
The decision to strip Maguire of the captaincy is a significant one for Manchester United. It shows that the club is not afraid to make tough decisions, and it sends a message to the rest of the squad that standards will be high under Ten Hag.
It will be interesting to see how Maguire responds to the decision. He has a chance to prove himself to Ten Hag and the United fans, but he will need to improve his performances if he wants to regain the captaincy.
