This week, local media claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo could take over the captain’s armband, displacing Harry Maguire due to his recent poor performances in a Manchester United shirt.
But Ralf Rangnick was quick to deny this rumor during the press conference prior to the classic against Leeds United of Marcelo Bielsa, and clearly supported the English international defender.
“First, I mean this is absolute nonsense. I have never spoken to any player about a possible change of captain, and Harry is fully aware of that, as is Cristiano and everyone else,” he commented.
“This has never been a problem for me. I am the one who decides who will wear the tape and therefore there is no reason to talk about it with anyone else. Harry is our captain, and will continue to be until the end of the season. There is nothing more to add,” he added.
At the same time, the coach assured that the atmosphere in the locker room has improved in recent weeksespecially after the closing of the winter passes book.
“This doesn’t bother me at allbecause I know it’s not true. Harry is the captain, and that has never been a problem for the team or for me as a coach. Honestly, I don’t like echoing these kinds of rumors“, he declared.
“There was some discontent among some footballers until the transfer market closed, since many of them realized that they weren’t going to get enough playing time. Anyway, I think this has improved, as the atmosphere in the locker room has changed for the better,” she added.
Despite the frustrating series of draws in the previous weeks, Manchester United only lost two games since the arrival of the German. Aware of the importance of keeping the team in the top four of the Premier League, Rangnick said: “We have to play well, show unity on the pitch, get the best out of every performance and win games. That’s our job.”
“Those are the things we can change, since we have no influence on everything else the rumors“, he concluded.
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