‘He doesn’t have the level to be the Manchester United captain’
Ahmed Elmohamady believes that former teammate Harry Maguire is ‘not at the level’ to be Manchester United captain.
Maguire, who signed for United for £80million from Leicester in January 2020, was named captain just five months after his arrival at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old has been heavily criticised this season for a number of disappointing performances and costly errors – with several people questioning his position as club captain.
Now, the England international’s former teammate Elmohamady has claimed that Maguire ‘can’t handle’ the pressure of the armband.
Speaking to beIN Sports, he said: “Harry was with me in Hull City and, in my opinion, he doesn’t have the level to be the Manchester United captain.
“Man United need a player with a strong personality and I hope that the next manager will give the captaincy to Ronaldo if he stays.
“Ronaldo can handle this responsibility and pressure; however, Maguire can’t handle this pressure.
“So I think that the pressure he has by wearing the captain’s armband is affecting his performances.
“Maguire performed really well with Leicester, a team that competes to be in the top six of the Premier League and maybe this is his level.
“He doesn’t have the level to play for the biggest team in the history of England.”
Ahmed Elmohamady: “Harry was with me in Hull City and, in my opinion, he doesn’t have the level to be the Manchester United captain. Man Utd need a player with a strong personality and I hope that the next manager will give the captaincy to Ronaldo, if he stays." [@beINSPORTS_EN] pic.twitter.com/gO7zmZUDmu
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) March 13, 2022
Elmohamady and Maguire played together for three seasons at Hull City from 2014 to 2017, with both players leaving the club that summer following the Tigers’ relegation to the Championship.
Maguire has made 137 appearances for the Red Devils and is in his third season at Old Trafford, while the Egyptian full-back Elmohamady has been a free agent since leaving Villa at the end of last season.
Last month, Maguire denied suggestions that he and Cristiano Ronaldo were embroiled in a row over the captaincy at the club.
It was initially reported that interim manager Rangnick had spoken to both Ronaldo and Maguire about relinquishing the latter of his duties as captain until the end of the season.
Related links:
- Harry Maguire calls out reports that him and Ronaldo are embroiled in power struggle
- Harry Maguire’s place in Man Utd team questioned by teammates… again
- Harry Maguire dedicates goal vs Leeds to young boy living with cancer
