Ashley Young backed to become new Manchester United captain after Antonio Valencia exit, Pogba and Smalling also in the running
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has got to give the armband to his new skipper upon the summer departure of previous captain Valencia
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to appoint a new Manchester United captain this summer with previous skipper Antonio Valencia departing Old Trafford at the end of the season.
Valencia rarely featured for United in his final campaign with the club, meaning the armband was instead worn by vice-captain Ashley Young who spent the majority of the season on the pitch.
Young was a trusted servant of Jose Mourinho, and Solskjaer kept faith in the 33-year-old when appointed caretaker manager back in December.
He played all but three of United's Premier League matches under the Norwegian, and was handed a one-year contract extension earlier this year to keep him at Old Trafford until June 2020.
Supporters were not overly pleased with the new deal, and many are frustrated a club of United's stature continue to play an ageing converted winger at full-back - something an elite club should not be doing.
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And fans are going to be angered when they learn Young is favourite to be handed the Man United captaincy on a permanent basis.
Bookmakers have cut the odds of Young being handed the armband to just 1/4, despite various reports claiming Paul Pogba could be named captain in a bid to keep him at Old Trafford amid interest from Real Madrid.
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The France midfielder is now as far out as 5/1 to become the new permanent skipper, with David de Gea and Chris Smalling behind him at 8/1 long-shots.
Victor Lindelof, the Sweden defender, rounds out the top five at a more distant 12/1.
A spokesman for AmericanGambler said: ‘We have seen a flurry of betting activity on Ashley Young to be named the captain of United overnight, with over 90 per cent of bets being placed on Ashley Young being announced as the player to succeed Antonio Valencia as captain.
"With uncertainty around Paul Pogba’s future, United hope that offering him the position of Vice Captain with a view to taking over from Young after this season will be enough of a lure for Pogba to want to remain at the club"
Manchester United next captain odds, provided by
Ashley Young – 1/4
Paul Pogba – 5/1
David De Gea – 8/1
Chris Smalling – 8/1
Victor Lindelof – 12/1