Cristiano Ronaldo pushing for Man Utd to axe Harry Maguire as captain amid power struggle

Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly pushing to replace Harry Maguire as captain. United interim boss Ralf Rangnick is claimed to have held conversations with Ronaldo and Maguire regarding the current skipper giving up the armband for the remainder of the season.

Maguire has received strong criticism in recent months for his performances in a United shirt.

And the £80million defender faces losing his status as club captain.

The Mirror claims there is a power struggle at United between Maguire and star forward Ronaldo.

Maguire is reluctant to give up the armband on a temporary basis as he is concerned he will not get it back next season.

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There is now a growing belief among the players that Ronaldo will soon take the armband from Maguire.

Maguire is claimed to now be in ‘no man’s land’ as he waits for Rangnick to make a decision.

Ronaldo has backed the 28-year-old England international this season but the Mirror says that support has dwindled in recent weeks.

Speaking this week, Rangnick claimed he would not take the captaincy off Maguire despite admitting his form has been below par.

“I think when he came back after his injury he did extremely well,” Rangnick said.

“He had a very good performance, a very good game against West Ham.

“In the past two games, yeah he had some weaker moments, against Southampton and when we conceded the goal at Burnley, but he’s our captain and I don’t see any reason to change that.”

United’s win over Brighton moved them up to fourth in the Premier League table.

But the Red Devils are set for a tough fight to finish in the Champions League qualification places.

Arsenal and Tottenham both have three games in hand over their rivals.

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source: express.co.uk