Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has removed defender Harry Maguire as the captain of the Red Devils after almost four years of handling the role.

“After discussions with the manager today, he has informed me he is changing captain,” the England international announced via social media on Sunday.

The 30-year-old has had mixed fortunes since the arrival of Ten Hag last season and has dropped down the pecking order behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof in the Dutch manager’s choice of centre-backs.

Consequently, he saw few minutes of action last season and mostly came on late during matches – this is believed to have contributed to the decision by the manager to relinquish the player from the captaincy role.

In his post announcing the news, the former Leicester City defender said he is “extremely disappointed” with the manager’s decision but promised remains committed whenever he wears the club’s jersey.

He continued: “He outlined his reasons to me, and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt. So I wanted to say a massive thank you to the Manchester United fans for all their brilliant support whilst I’ve been wearing the armband.”

Nonetheless, Maguire said leading the club for about four years was a “huge privilege.”

“I’ve done everything I possibly could to help United be successful – on and off the field. I will always be grateful to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for first giving me the responsibility, and I wish whoever now takes it on every,” he concluded.