David de Gea is leading contender to replace Harry Maguire as Man Utd captain

David de Gea has emerged as the overwhelming favourite to become Manchester United's next captain, according to reports.

Current skipper Harry Maguire came under pressure last season after a below-par campaign, with some questioning his ability to continue in the role.

And it seems that he could have to relinquish the armband ahead of next season.

Incoming manager Erik ten Hag is set to allow the players to choose who the captain should be, and de Gea is expected to get the nod from his team-mates, as reported by The Sun.

Maguire's days as captain have appeared to be numbered for some time as the England centre-back was believed to be involved in a power struggle with star striker Cristiano Ronaldo back in February.

It was claimed that interim boss Ralf Rangnick considered speaking to the pair about the Portuguese forward taking on the armband for the rest of the season, but Maguire managed to retain his role in the end.

It is understood that Ronaldo would still be in the running to replace Maguire now, but de Gea would likely beat him if it comes down to a vote in the dressing room.

De Gea has spent the last 11 years at Old Trafford, and has become a popular figure at the club during this time.

He won the Players' Player of the Year award for the fourth time on Friday, indicating how highly-rated he is by his peers.

He led the Red Devils in their first three league games of the 2019-20 season, before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to appoint Maguire as permanent captain in January 2020, less than six months after he arrived from Leicester for £80million.

De Gea endured a difficult spell after that, which included briefly losing his place in the team to Dean Henderson, but he is now the undisputed No. 1 at United, and he could be handed extra responsibility at the club in the coming months.