Richard Jolly Reflects on Harry Maguire’s Demise: The Manchester United Captaincy as a Burdensome Responsibility

Harry Maguire’s fall from grace at Manchester United seems logical considering his performance as the fifth-choice centre-back last season. With Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw ahead of him, it’s natural for him to seek opportunities elsewhere. Gareth Southgate’s warning to maintain his England spot and the unlikelihood of him climbing the ranks at Old Trafford only reinforce the idea that his exit is imminent.

This marks the culmination of a two-year downfall for Maguire. From being an underdog and an unlikely national hero during England’s run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, he became the world’s most expensive central defender and a successor to legendary Manchester United players. However, his form declined rapidly. Losing his place in the team after a humiliating defeat to Brentford and his costly mistakes in the Europa League exit against Sevilla marked the end of an era, similar to David de Gea’s situation.

The decline in Maguire’s performance can be traced back to the summer of 2021 when Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival shifted the dynamics at Old Trafford, including the captaincy. Ronaldo seemed to see himself as a more suitable captain, and Maguire’s form suffered greatly. He appeared clumsy, haunted, and hapless. Sent off in Solskjaer’s final game against Watford and delivering a poor performance in his return to Leicester, Maguire’s struggles were exacerbated by being rushed back while not fully fit.

The pressure of being United’s captain, combined with the prestige of the club and his hefty price tag, proved to be overwhelming for Maguire. His decline was met with harsh criticism, and he became a subject of ridicule. The United captaincy has often been a challenging position in recent years, with previous captains facing injuries or being pushed aside. Maguire’s struggles occurred at a younger age, making it all the more disappointing.

Now, with Maguire’s decline, Manchester United seems to have several potential leaders, such as Bruno Fernandes, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Casemiro. Fernandes, who served as the de facto captain last season, is the likely successor to Maguire. Despite occasional petulance, Fernandes has consistently shown responsibility, resilience, and durability. It is evident that Ten Hag deemed the situation with Maguire unsustainable and took decisive action, further propelling Manchester United into a new era.