Man United icon Rio Ferdinand warns Harry Maguire he will be a 'squad player' if he stays at Man United this summer after captaincy removal

Rio Ferdinand has made a frank admission on Harry Maguire's future at Manchester United.

The England defender was stripped of the captaincy by manager Erik ten Hag earlier this month.

Despite the snub, 30-year-old Maguire wants to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place under the Dutchman despite interest from West Ham.

His professional, mature response elicited praise from United icon Gary Neville - but his former team-mate and fellow club legend Ferdinand told TNT Sports that Maguire will be no more than a squad player if he does stay.

He said: 'Erik ten Hag has a particular way of playing. He has to choose players that suit his style of football, and Harry Maguire does not fit the bill.

'He brought in Martinez and Varane to fit his philosophy and those will be his first-choice centre-backs next season.

'It will have been really difficult for Maguire, after playing so well for England (at the 2022 World Cup), coming back to Manchester United to be a substitute.

'That must have been mentally very hard to deal with. The question now is, what does he want to do? Does he want to be a squad player or does he want to be a starter in another team?

'If he is happy being a squad player at Manchester United then he stays, if he doesn't then he will go. But he will be a sub if he stays at United.'

The defender made just 16 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils last season, and has now been handed advice from United legend Rooney.

Speaking to The Athletic ahead of the MLS All-Star clash against Arsenal, for which Rooney is the head coach, he said: 'To have the armband taken off you, how does he move forward with the club?

'That shows the manager really doesn't believe in him. It leaves Harry in a position where he has to think