The Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are naturally somewhat distressed about their team’s performances this season, although they have been happy with their last couple of wins, against Derby County and Stoke City.
It remains to be seen what will happen with the managerial situation at the club, with speculation over the future of Louis van Gaal turning into a daily thing for newspaper gossip columns.
The club needs to be taking part in the Champions League and failure to secure a top four finish is likely to spell the end of the Dutch manager’s reign in Manchester.
Van Gaal will be leaving having given youth the chance to shine, having blended several youngster into the first-team fold since his arrival after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Talk in the Tavern this evening has turned to future captains for the team, with current captain Wayne Rooney getting on a bit and one United supporting punter is weighing up the options for his replacement.
Here we have a look at five players who could make ideal captains for Manchester United in future years.
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Phil Jones
If Jones can overcome his series of niggling fitness issues, then there is little doubt that the defender will make a pretty decent captain for Manchester United.
The 23-year-old has made over 100 appearances for the Red Devils since arriving at the club in 2011 and with the club recruiting several new players over the last two years, the club require a skipper who appreciates the United values.
The ex-Blackburn Rovers man is held in seemingly high regard by the club and boss Louis van Gaal is likely to see him as a mainstay in the United side for a few more years yet.
Chris Smalling
Smalling was plucked from Fulham back in 2010 by Sir Alex Ferguson, with the Scottish manager touting him as a future England international.
Well, the central defender is on course to start for England in the European Championships in France and is currently enjoying his best season in a Manchester United shirt.
The 26-year-old has been trusted with the captaincy on occasions in the past and if his current form persists, it looks like a role he could take up on a more permanent basis.
David De Gea
Some managers are sometimes unsure about handing the captain’s armband to a goalkeeper but by offering De Gea the position could go a long way to keeping the stopper at the club.
Having firmly established himself as one of the best goalkeepers on the planet, the Spaniard now has the backing of his team-mates who see him as one of the more senior professionals at the club.
It is unlikely that a club such as United would opt to give the armband to a goalkeeper, given their reputation for building teams that are based on lots of experience throughout the squad.
Anthony Martial
The French striker looks set for a big future in football and Manchester United will hope that they have the youngster tied down ahead of his best years.
The comparisons to Arsenal legend and fellow compatriot Thierry Henry do look to be somewhat premature, but there is few that will doubt the ex-Monaco man has huge potential.
United have a striker in the captaincy spot at the moment in Wayne Rooney and there is nothing to say that they won’t do the same again when Rooney decides to call time on his career.
Daley Blind
The Dutchman has become part of the furniture at Old Trafford and during their darker times earlier in the season, Blind was one of the few to emerge with an ounce of credit.
The 25-year-old has played 43 games for the club since arriving after the World Cup in 2014 and has produced solid performances in both defensive and midfield roles.
Blind isn’t likely to be leaving United any time soon and he would make a really decent captain for the club, should he be given the chance to wear the armband.
The sort of player who is happy to bark out instructions on the pitch anyway, given Blind the captaincy would be a challenge that the player would relish.
