Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has played down suggestions that Cristiano Ronaldo could be handed the captain’s armband following his return to Old Trafford.
Harry Maguire is currently in possession of the role and Neville disagrees with those that say manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should hand the responsibility to Ronaldo due to his experience and leadership skills:
“I’d be very surprised if Harry Maguire gets the captaincy taken off him. I think Harry Maguire is going to be there for the long term, Cristiano is coming in for two years. So I don’t think that’s going to happen, I’d be very surprised if that was the case. I think Cristiano Ronaldo’s desire and leadership skills don’t have to be brought forward by having the armband.”
Most supporters on Twitter are in agreement with Neville, although a few feel that Maguire has not done anything to deserve being made captain in the first place:
No one said it will be taken off him. Rest
— Trijay (@Dayveed111) September 2, 2021
There’s no conversation to be had, Maguire is the captain.
— Fade™ (@__TIm______) September 2, 2021
Ronaldo should easily be our captain
– Most experienced player in our squad
– Our best player
– Contributed more for Manchester United than any other player in our squad— . (@sinha4_vibhav) September 2, 2021
No chance they change the captaincy
— Stacy Valentine (@StacyOValentine) September 2, 2021
ronaldo wasnt captain of madrid or juve and wasnt captain of united. i dont think he cares about it
— night (@ni666ht) September 2, 2021
Of course Harry will keep the armband, and Cristiano will respect that. No question at all. You can be a leader and not necessarily the captain.
— James (@maguirenumber6) September 2, 2021
let’s keep our captain… let Ronaldo play the ball n score goals ??♂
— ATWINE (@jeanyassir) September 2, 2021
Unnecessary discussion.
— Alex (@AbandaAlex_) September 2, 2021
What leadership skills does Maguire have?
— Mrs Varane (@missp000) September 2, 2021
Maguire should be the captain don’t care if Ronaldo is the goat
— Andy⁷ (@cisr7ii) September 2, 2021
There has been no indication from reliable journalists that Solskjaer is even considering changing captains at this stage so this debate seems to be a rather pointless one.
As Neville points out, Ronaldo will undoubtedly take up a leadership role in the squad, even if he doesn’t get any formal responsibilities, simply because of his personality and vast experience at the highest level of European football.
