Nemanja Vidic explains biggest problem with Harry Maguire's captaincy

The problem with Harry Maguire's captaincy at Manchester United has been explained by club legend, and former centre back, Nemanja Vidic.

Last season, Maguire's position as club captain was heavily questioned with his form taking a massive hit as the team struggled under Ralf Rangnick.

The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly brought splits in the camp, with some wanting the five time Ballon d'Or winner to take over wearing the armband.

Even players outside of Old Trafford were questioning it, with Alphonso Davies revealing he couldn't understand why it was Maguire and not Ronaldo.

With hindsight, the idea that Ronaldo could have been captain at Old Trafford was pretty laughable, considering his behaviour before leaving the club at the end of last year.

But that hasn't stopped the questions about Maguire still being the leader within the club, even when he wasn't playing in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Towards the end of extra-time, Bruno Fernandes could be seen rallying the troops, whilst the former Leicester City defender stood back.

Now Vidic has explained why he believes the captain doesn't have the authority he should have, "Maguire has a problem because he doesn’t perform well. When you don’t perform well it’s difficult to say to someone what to do," the Serbian explained on Rio Ferdinand's FIVE YouTube channel.

"I think that Maguire is doing well for the national team, he was great for Leicester. But obviously, he’s struggling to perform for Manchester United the way he’s performing for other clubs.

"It’s difficult to gain that type of respect, it’s nothing against Maguire now. In general, any captain has to be first, has to show an example, has to play well and has to fight for the club and then everybody else will do it."

Maguire was suspended for the FA Cup semi-final. Image: Alamy

Maguire was initially backed by Erik ten Hag, when the Dutchman arrived last summer, and was allowed to keep the armband.

However, he hasn't actually played that much this season, with Fernandes usually named as captain for each game, although he's had his own problems with the position at time.

The centre back's most recent performance for United came in the Europa League quarter final loss to Sevilla last week, in which he was blamed for the first goal.

Though David de Gea also had a hand in it the disaster, Maguire's ability on the ball was compared to teammate Lisandro Martinez, who dealt with a very similar situation.

Vidic was complimentary about the World Cup winning Argentinian, saying, "I like him actually, the first thing I saw is that he likes to defend.

"I had doubts when he came because of his height, but he’s good in the air. He knows how to position himself.

"I think he’s a good character and good in the dressing room. He has that mentality, he is a fighter."

Maguire may not even be at Old Trafford for the next campaign, with reports that he is amongst 15 players up for sale at the club in the upcoming transfer window.