Ten Hag to pick new Man Utd leadership group after Fernandes replaces Maguire
Manchester United left a lasting impression in New York and New Jersey on the first leg of their US tour.
United headed to San Diego on Sunday after a 2-0 win over Premier League rivals Arsenal in front of 82,262 fans at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium – a record for a football game at the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets. Hundreds of members of United supporters’ clubs from across the US converged in New York for two packed-out social events in the days before the game, with club legend and two-time Champions League winner Wes Brown in attendance.
United boss Erik ten Hag is said to be close to deciding the make-up of the leadership group for the new season. Ten Hag has already appointed Bruno Fernandes as his new captain, having taken the armband off former skipper Harry Maguire.
United's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was given the armband after Fernandes went off at half-time in United’s 2-0 win over the Gunners. But it remains to be seen if Maguire, who has been told he can leave United if a club comes in with an offer that meets their valuation, forms part of the group for the new campaign.
United's current reserve goalkeeper Tom Heaton - part of the leadership team last season – said the players are waiting for Ten Hag to decide on who will make up the group this season. Asked if the group had been formed, Heaton said: “No not yet, it’s still quite early.
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“There's been a change of captaincy as well, but I’m sure it'll get sorted at some point. This club sets the highest possible standards and you look to the leadership group to set those standards.
“I was part of that last season and I would hope to be so going forward as well. The manager put it together, really. He organises that.
Tom Heaton says United's new leadership group will be formed in the coming days (Mike Lawrence/ISI Photos/Getty Images)Mirror Football is now on Threads!
“We've got plenty of leaders in our dressing room and get together if things need addressing, sorting or talking to the manager.” Ten Hag was impressed with United’s aggressive approach in their 2-0 friendly win over Arsenal at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.
United’s uncompromising approach was embodied by Lisandro Martinez’s crunching challenge on Buyako Saka, for which he received a yellow card, and Fernandes's belligerent tackle on Jurrien Timber. Ten Hag is expecting a similarly robust approach from his senior players when they take on Real Madrid in Houston on Wednesday.
United trained in New Jersey on Sunday morning, before heading to San Diego for the second leg of their US tour, where an Academy side will take on Wrexham at the SnapDragon Stadium tomorrow.
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