Harry Maguire steps up as a new captain emerges at Man Utd

Manchester United are a team crying out for leadership – and here was evidence that ​Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has decided upon his next long-term skipper.

Ashley Young remains club captain – but as a fringe member of the squad Man Utd have been looking for the man to wear the armband on a week-to-week basis.

Which is why the decision to hand it to Harry Maguire for this match was significant.

David de Gea held the role in the early weeks of the campaign, but even with the Spain goalkeeper on the pitch, Solskjaer turned to the world's most expensive defender instead.

The Norwegian has already spoken of Maguire's captaincy credentials and the role appears to be his to lose.

The injured Paul Pogba is the only other contender, but Solskjaer's decision to name De Gea ahead of the France international earlier on in the season was a statement.

And with doubts remaining over Pogba's desire to stay at Old Trafford, it's unlikely he would be considered a better option than Maguire.

“Harry has come in and been excellent in the dressing room and on the pitch,” said Solskjaer. “[He] can be a long term captain.”