10 March 2023 , 13:00
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Ex-Manchester United team-mates Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves disagree over whether Marcus Rashford has the credentials to become the club's future captain.
After vice-skipper Bruno Fernandes was accused of an "embarrassing" performance during last Sunday's shambolic 7-0 defeat to arch rivals Liverpool, a debate has raged over who deserves to wear the armband. Club captain Harry Maguire has spent most of this season on the bench, allowing Fernandes to lead United out for much of Erik ten Hag's first campaign as manager.
While stars such as David de Gea, Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have all been tipped for the captaincy, Rashford's name has also been thrown around by fans and pundits alike. Ahead of Thursday's much-needed 4-1 win at home to Real Betis in the Europa League, former Red Devils midfielder Hargreaves insisted that the 25-year-old forward has what it takes to bear the responsibility - but club legend Scholes isn't so sure.
Using Paris Saint-Germain vice-captain Kylian Mbappe - who's only 24 - as an example, Hargreaves told BT Sport: "I think United have a lot of leaders now - De Gea, Casemiro, Varane, Martinez is a natural leader. I think Marcus could be one of those. You look at Kylian Mbappe at 24 he's the captain of PSG.
"I think he's [Rashford] not your typical Bryan Robson, [Eric] Cantona, that type, but he's the star player - he's been brilliant this season. He could have that responsibility and grow into the role. I wouldn't mind seeing that. He's produced after coming out of a really difficult phase and he's obviously the future of this football club.
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"I think giving him more responsibility wouldn't be a bad thing, he could grow into it, I think captains are a lot different from what they were when we played."
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Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves disagreed over Marcus Rashford's captaincy credentials (BT Sport)Scholes took a different stance, however, admitting: "I don't really see him as a leader. I think he's a leader by performance but not quite vocal or as a character as a captain should be. One thing we have to say about Rashford is that he's been brilliant this season. He's turned his career around in the space of time, in three-quarters of the season."
As for Ten Hag's verdict, the United manager won't be stripping Fernandes of the armband any time soon. Asked on Wednesday whether the Portuguese midfielder would remain vice-captain in spite of his display against Liverpool, Ten Hag replied: "Yes, definitely. He's playing a brilliant season, he's had a really important role in why we're in the position where we are, and he's giving energy to the team - not only running a lot at the highest intensity but the right way and right direction.
"He's coaching players, he's an inspiration, but no-one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, we have to learn, he has to learn and he will, because he's intelligent. I'm happy to have Bruno Fernandes in the team and that he's captain when Harry isn’t on the pitch."