Rangnick will not strip Maguire of captaincy despite poor form

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick will not drop Harry Maguire nor strip him of the captaincy but insists he needs to improve. Maguire has been culpable defensively in United's recent 1-1 draws with Burnley and Southampton.

Rangnick conceded the 28-year-old record signing needed to get better, revealing he is struggling to adjust to United's back four. "I think after he came back after his injury he did extremely well, with a very good performance against West Ham," the German coach told reporters ahead of United's meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday night. "In the last two games he had some weaker moments, both against Southampton and when we conceded the goal against Burnley. He is our captain and I don't see any reason to change that, but he is a player who has to develop and get better, like all the other players. The way we play is new. In the English national team he is used to playing in a back three, here he's in a back four but not as proactive. It will take some time for him to get used to it."

Maguire, who joined United for £80 million in 2019, has made 19 starts in the league this season for the Red Devils who have kept five clean sheets from 24 games.