Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has given an in-depth interview on his appointment as club captain following Ashley Young's transfer to Inter.
The England international joined the Red Devils in the summer, finally completing an £80m switch from Leicester City after over a year of intense speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford. Though United's performances have been inconsistent this term, Maguire has been a reliable figure at the back.
Discussing Ole Gunnar Soslkjaer's decision to hand him the armband, the 26-year-old told Sky Sports: "It's a really proud moment for myself, and I'm really honoured to be captain of this great club. I've worn the armband previously, but to be named captain is really special.
"[The manager] pulled me to one side and told me that if Ashley leaves, I'd be appointed as the next captain. He wished me well and told me to keep doing what I'm doing. I was really proud, it's such an honour to play for this club, let alone captain it.
"It's fairly new because I've never actually been appointed club captain, but I've had some great captains in my time. Michael Dawson at Hull, Wes Morgan at Leicester and then Youngy here. I've learnt from some great people who do stuff well off the pitch."
Asked about the qualities he deems essential for the role, the United centre-back said: "Leading by example and being responsible for your team's actions, on and off the pitch.
"I've had some great captains to look to and learn from, and hopefully I can take that and bring it to the club here.
"I've been here for five or six months now, but it shows great trust from the manager and great confidence in my ability to lead the boys, on and off the pitch, and I have confidence in the ability to be a success.
"First and foremost, you've got to go onto the pitch and lead by example. Then you have responsibilities off the pitch and in the dressing room. As I've got older with more experience, I've developed more speaking in my game whereas when I was a young boy, I was quite quiet.
"I always looked up to the experienced boys there and seeing how they handled themselves, and it's something I've improved as I've got older."
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Source: 90min
