Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is "very good" at keeping the squad together, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Maguire's performances over the last 12 months have come under scrutiny, but Jones has claimed that he continues to impress the club's hierarchy behind-the-scenes.

What's the latest news involving Maguire?

The 29-year-old looked a shell of his former self at times last season, as United conceded 57 goals in the league and finished down in sixth place.

With his performances falling well below his usual standards, Maguire's place in the team may not be guaranteed next season following the appointment of Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils are trying to sign Jurrien Timber from Ajax, who could potentially replace Maguire in the starting line-up.

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What has Jones said about Maguire?

Jones has admitted that the £190,000-a-week star has struggled in recent months, and having the captain's armband may be hampering him.

However, he has been told by figures behind-the-scenes at Old Trafford that Maguire has always been exemplary with the rest of the squad ever since he signed for the club in 2019, and this could put him in ten Hag's good books.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “He’s obviously had a very tough year on the pitch, and that’s something that ten Hag needs to assess. What’s his mentality like, does he need this pressure of the armband? Does he thrive on it?

“But ultimately, people around United have always said that Maguire is very good at pulling this group of players together, so maybe he does end up being the type of person that ten Hag is happy with.”

Will Maguire keep the captain's armband next season?

It seems that his days as captain could be numbered.

According to The Sun, ten Hag is set to allow the dressing room to decide who the captain should be moving forward, and David de Gea has emerged as the early favourite to take over from Maguire.

Indeed, Maguire's focus may be more on keeping his place in the team next season rather than whether he can remain as captain.

However, Maguire has shown his class before, helping England to the latter stages of two major tournaments, while also doing very little wrong in his first two seasons at Old Trafford.

If he can rediscover that form in pre-season and get back to his best under ten Hag, he may still have a chance of keeping the armband.

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