Harry Maguire’s misery at Manchester United continues as the veteran defender was snubbed in favour of back-up goalkeeper Tom Heaton, having already been replaced as captain

Erik ten Hag has once again snubbed Harry Maguire (Image: Getty Images)

Harry Maguire has been snubbed by Erik Ten Hag for the Manchester United captaincy once again.

The out-of-favour centre-back was ᵴtriƥped of the armband last month ahead of the new season, having played a more reduced role in the side last season. He was succeeded by Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes while the majority of fans welcomed the bold decision.

But Ten Hag has now gone one step further in snubbing the Englishman by naming goalkeeper Tom Heaton as his captain for the pre-season friendly against Athletic Club in the absence of Fernandes.

The Dutchman’s harsh call came as a surprise to many fans given both Maguire and Heaton were in the starting line-up ahead of Sunday’s clash in Dublin.

And even the most staunch critics of Maguire were amazed at the audacity to overlook him as vice-captain, given his experience in leading the team.

One Twitter user wrote: “Ain’t no way Tom Heaton is captain man, feel so bad for Maguire,” while another tweeted: “Heaton CAPTAIN. Maguire really did get demoted.”

A third added: “Tom Heaton captain over Maguire. ETH is ruthless and I love it.”

Harry Maguire was ᵴtriƥped of his Man Utd captaincy last month (Image: Getty Images)

Tom Heaton captained Man Utd against Athletic Club (Image: Getty Images)

Others chimed in by commenting: “Tom Heaton getting the Captain’s armband over Harry Maguire. Have to feel for the lad now,” and: “Ten Hag even gave the armband to Heaton over Maguire, nah bro the disrespect.”

Ten Hag’s side thus far have endured a mixed pre-season. A 2-0 win over Leeds in Oslo was followed by a trip to Edinburgh to face Lyon in mid-July, where Donny van de Beek scored the only goal of the game.

The Red Devils kicked off their American tour by stunning Premier League rivals Arsenal with another 2-0 victory. Yet they suffered a 3-1 defeat to League Two side Wrexham and a 2-0 loss to Real Madrid, before ending July with a 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas.