Harry Maguire has endured a rollercoaster ride at Manchester United, with his most significant low point being the time he lost the captaincy under Erik ten Hag
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 23: Captain Harry Maguire of Manchester United in action during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United at Wanda Metropolitano on February 23, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Harry Maguire's reign as Manchester United captain was difficult(Image: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno, Getty Images)
Harry Maguire has confessed his disappointment at losing the Manchester United captaincy - but had nothing but delight when Bruno Fernandes was chosen as his successor.
Maguire was appointed Red Devils captain by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in January 2020, just a few months after his £80million transfer from Leicester City. His tumultuous tenure with the armband, marked by intense criticism as United floundered under both Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, came to an end in 2023 when Erik ten Hag relieved him of the role.
The former United manager passed the responsibility to Fernandes, who continues to lead the team on the pitch. Despite his personal disappointment, Maguire was committed to supporting his Portuguese colleague in any way possible, demonstrating his humbleness and loyalty to his team-mates.
During an appearance on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Maguire said: "When I was captain, Bruno gave me his full support. I leant on Bruno a lot to be honest.
"Whenever I had decisions to make, I had people around me like [David] de Gea, Bruno and Nemanja [Matic]. I had good experienced pros there and I always leant on them. I built a good relationship with Bruno when I was captain.
"Obviously, Erik decided to change the captaincy because I was not playing in that first season. I really wanted it to go to Bruno if I'm being honest and I told Bruno the same. He came up to me and I spoke to him. I said, 'Look, congratulations.'"
When the iconic United defender probed Maguire for details about his conversation with Ten Hag, the England international, who has 64 caps to his name, said: "It was a sticky conversation. The season before, I just didn't feel as important to the club as I did under Ole.
Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United interact during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 09, 2025 in Manchester, England
Maguire pledged to do everything he could to support Fernandes
"I think if you're the captain, you need to feel important, you need to have the backing of the manager, you need to have the backing of all the team. If you don't, it doesn't work.
"Bruno was Erik's guy. Bruno is a great leader. Like I said to Bruno, I said, 'If I have to give it away to anyone - and I didn't want to give it away to anyone - he'd be the man I would want to take this club forward.'
"He's a fantastic player, a great leader and, most importantly, he puts other people first. I think that's a big trait to have when you are a captain. He cares about others, he cares about improving others, he cares about helping others.
Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, speaks to the media alongside Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire of Manchester United during a press conference ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 20, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain
Fernandes and Maguire have always been close allies(Image: 2025 UEFA)
"There's a lot of players in this game who obviously play for themselves, rightly so it takes them far. But there's also a lot of players who care about the team and making other people better and making young lads come through, feel comfortable, and Bruno is one of those."
Fernandes is set to lead Ruben Amorim's revamped United side into their new campaign at Old Trafford on Sunday as they take on Arsenal in their opening match of the Premier League season. The only way is up after finishing 15th and delivering an uninspiring performance in their Europa League final loss to Tottenham.
Amorim has primarily concentrated on strengthening his attack with the signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. However, Maguire could be set for a crucial role in the Portuguese manager's defence. He will be vying with Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui for a spot in Amorim's three-man defence.