Rio Ferdinand on who should have been Man United captain instead of Maguire.

Rio Ferdinand believes making centre-back Harry Maguire the Manchester United captain was a mistake.

The ex-Red reckons goalkeeper David de Gea, who was part of the side that last won the Premier League in 2013, should have been given the armband.

Following Ashley Young’s move away from Old Trafford back in January 2020, England international Maguire took over the role a few months after securing a move to United from Leicester City.

Maguire became Man Utd captain less than sid months of joining the club.

Since becoming the Red Devils captain, the 28-year-old has come under immense scrutiny from fans and pundits alike, especially in recent months that has seen United struggle to keep just four clean sheets with Maguire in the team.

Some United fans have called for the ex-Hull City defender to be relieved of his role as captain and there have been reports in the past claiming that an unnamed player in the squad questioned why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made Maguire captain.

However, Ferdinand gave his thoughts on the situation when speaking on Vibe with Five: ‘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.

‘It’s a hard enough job coming into Manchester United, getting your feet under the table and starting to feel comfortable as it is 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 captain and defender added: ‘The thing you can counter that with, is that there weren’t many captains at the club, who else are they going to pick?

‘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.’

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