Manchester United identify possible future captain

Manchester United right back Diogo Dalot is regarded as a potential future captain of the club.

Sources say Dalot has emerged as a contender to eventually replace the influential Bruno Fernandes.

Dalot, 25, started in 48 of United's 52 matches last season and was one of only two outfield players who were fit for the entirety of the campaign.

The Portugal international was voted the United Players' Player of the Year last month and has already spent six years at the club.

Dalot signed a five-year contract in May 2023 that would take him to a decade's service with United if it is seen out.

Luke Shaw is the longest-serving player at United and celebrates his tenth anniversary with the club on Friday but he has never captained the team.

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There are only a handful of senior starters in the United squad who are all but certain to stay beyond the closure of the transfer window. Dalot has generated widespread interest in recent summers but has no intention of leaving.

Manager Erik ten Hag's position is partly buttressed by the identity of the leaders in the squad. Ten Hag appointed Fernandes as captain last year while Andre Onana and Lisandro Martinez played under him at Ajax.

Fernandes, 29, is about to enter the final two years of his contract but United have the option of an additional year. There has been uncertainty over Fernandes's future in recent months but United's FA Cup final victory and subsequent qualification for the Europa League have decreased the chances of a transfer.

Martinez, 26, and Onana, 28, agreed five-year contracts when they joined United.