Harry Maguire will remain at Manchester United, but if they can get rid of Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, or Axel Tuanzebe this summer, they’ll want to recruit a new center back.

After a disappointing campaign in which the United captain’s performance and leadership were questioned by some of his own teammates, Maguire’s future at Old Trafford has been in doubt.

Even if the leadership now seems to be in doubt, new manager Erik ten Hag intends to maintain him as one of his center defenders with Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.

When Ralf Rangnick, United’s interim manager, suggested that the players should elect who wears the armband, Ten Hag felt ambivalent about the idea.

If United can find another player in his position this summer, Maguire, who lost his spot under Rangnick, will have even more competition next season.

Jurrien Timber, who was an Ajax player under Ten Hag, would be their preferred choice, but United thinks he might chose to remain with the Dutch champions. Pau Torres of Villarreal and Timber’s Ajax teammate Lisandro Martinez are more choices.

Along with Christian Eriksen, Frenkie de Jong and Antony are two further players that Ten Hag wants to sign from Ajax.