Paul Scholes has already told Man Utd to avoid captaincy mistake amid Erik ten Hag’s Harry Maguire decision

Manchested United great Paul Scholes has already warned his old club over a potential captaincy decision following the decision to remove Harry Maguire from his role.

Erik ten Hag has made the decision to remove Maguire as captain ahead of the new season, with the Dutchman taking a ruthless approach to his squad planning once again. Maguire is unlikely to be a starter next season, and he could yet leave the club before the start of the new season.

It’s a bold move from Ten Hag, but Maguire has been on a downward slope at Old Trafford, and the decision did feel inevitable given the direction United have been moving in amid the presence of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.

During Maguire’s injury troubles last season, Bruno Fernandes captained United as part of his vice-captaincy role, and many fans expect the Portuguese superstar to be handed the main camptaincy role on a full-time basis. But United legend Scholes believes Ten Hag should look beyond Fernandes as he considers which player deserves the responsibility.

“Your captain has to be an influence, leader, calm character. I’d be concerned if United, March, April are going for the title - I don’t think him as your captain would be ideal,” Scholes told BT Sport back in March.

“He’s only vice-captain at the moment as Maguire’s not playing. Going forward, bigger games, going for trophies, Champions League finals, a captain with less emotion might be better.”

Fernandes is one of United’s leaders on the pitch, given his ability, but there are arguably more natural leaders, such as Varane and Casemiro. It will be interesting to see who Ten Hag turns to as he looks to decide which player will lead his men on the pitch.