Harry Maguire was stripped of the captain’s armband by Erik ten Hag during the summer of 2023 but it has now been confirmed that the same fate will not befall one of his Manchester United team-mates.
And, no, we are not referring to Bruno Fernandes.
On a weekend in which the Manchester United skipper, who inherited Maguire’s armband last year, proved his leadership skills – limping through the final half an hour while playing as a stand-in centre-half as the Red Devils fought back to beat Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals – another much-criticised member of Ten Hag’s squad produced a performance, also out of position, befitting of the armband.
And it seems that Victor Lindelof’s chest-thumping display at left-back helped make up John Dahl Tomasson’s mind, the newly-appointed Sweden coach finally confirming that Lindelof will retain the armband that was handed to him back in 2021.
Manchester United ace confirmed as country’s captain
“(Lindelof is) a player who takes responsibility and plays for a big club,” the former Blackburn Rovers boss tells Futbollskanalen after initially hinting at a change of leader for the national team.
“Over time, I will probably add a group of players who will take a little more responsibility. It can be both young and experienced players, so that it’s not just put on one player.
“I want everyone to be involved because, if everyone has a good relationship with each other, we have a greater chance of being successful.
“(Picking Lindelof) was a very easy choice because he is used to this and he knows how to take responsibility.”
A big boost for Victor Lindelof
The long-serving Man United defender who cost £30.7million in 2017 will not be wearing the armband at this summer’s European Championships, however. Sweden surprisingly fell short in the qualification phase, Lindelof playing his part for all the wrong reasons in a disastrous 3-0 defeat to Azerbaijan.
The one-time Benfica ace is delighted to be given the opportunity to right those wrongs, however, as Tomasson steps up his preparations for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
“It is an honour to be the team captain of the men’s national team,” Lindelof beams. “And I am happy to receive continued trust in that responsibility even under our new team management.”