Manchester United fans are calling for Cristiano Ronaldo to take over as captain on the back of a rousing interview in which he urges his team-mates to finish no less than third in the Premier League.
Ronaldo would have been hoping to challenge for the title upon his return to Old Trafford last summer, but United already find themselves 22 points behind leaders Manchester City down in seventh at the halfway stage of the season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer paid the price for a dreadful run of five defeats in seven matches earlier in the campaign, with interim boss Ralf Rangnick replacing him at the helm last month.
United have since taken 13 points from a possible 18 under their new manager, and Ronaldo - who has scored 14 goals in 21 games this term - believes they now have to push on and finish near the top.
'Manchester United should win the league or be second or third,' he told Sky Sports.
'I don't see other positions for Manchester United to be honest, I don't see. In my eyes, I don't accept that our mentality be less than to be in the top three in the Premier League.'
He then added: 'I don't want to be here in a club to fight to be in sixth or seventh or fifth place, I'm here to try to win, to compete. I think we compete but we are not yet at our best level. Long way to improve and I believe if we change our mind, we can achieve big things.'
After watching the interview, United fans quickly took to Twitter to wax lyrical about Ronaldo's mentality, insisting he should be captain instead of current skipper Harry Maguire.
One wrote: 'SAY IT LOUDER FOR THOSE IN THE BACK @Cristiano the rightful captain'.
Another said: 'This is the elite mentality needed at #MUFC. The dressing room lacks winners and players willing to do the hard graft to become winners. Just give him the armband.'
A third commented: 'Cristiano Ronaldo should be the captain of Manchester United. Standards trickle down from the captain, and his mentality needs to be instilled into these players.'
While one simply put: 'Give him the armband immediately'.
pulkit_10
303
de gea should be captain you can't make someone who was going to go to your direct rivals your captain
KelvinOnoriode
301
Ronaldo should leave..he is not even worth being the captain
ijelejoe
116
This people complain as if the captain is going to play 10 people leg. Captain this captain that
kukdknoyz
69
As a football fan, captaincy should be given to a player who rises to the challenge and encourages teammates. Must have leadership qualities. Ronaldo is the right person.
OMA_
24
Ronaldo Captain, De Gea Vice captain, Bruno third captain…. My opion