Food For Thought: Scrutinizing The Next Manchester United Captain After Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick. Two of the most undervalued players in English football. Rooney, over the years, has always been criticized despite going on to achieve great feats at the club and international level, while Carrick has never been given his dues despite being one of the finest midfielders in the country for close to ten years now.

There is no doubting the duo’s contribution to Manchester United over the past decade. Carrick, at 36, is still a vital part of the United midfield, whereas Rooney went on to scale new heights, becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with his goal against Stoke City last weekend, going past the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 249 goals for the Red Devils. Individual performances aside, what has been much more valuable for the team has been their presence on the field and in the dressing room.

These two are United’s longest serving players in the current squad and are the team’s first and second-choice captains. Rooney, with his energy and enthusiasm, has always been an inspirational figure on the field while Carrick with his calm demeanour is the silent leader on the field. However, serious doubts have been cast over their futures at Old Trafford in recent weeks.

Rooney has constantly been linked with a move to the money-loaded Chinese Super League since the summer of 2016. And manager Jose Mourinho, said to the media recently that he would not stand in the way of the United and England captain, if he wishes to move.

Carrick, on the other hand, is in the last six months of his current contract with the club and is yet to be offered a new deal, leading to speculations that the former Tottenham midfielder will be moving away or may even decide to hang his boots at the end of the season.

If the two stars decide to move away from the M16 in the upcoming summer, United will be dealt with a huge blow as they will lose two of their most influential players on and off the pitch. With the rumour mill going wild with speculations over the future of the two Englishmen, we take a look at the players who could be entrusted with the captaincy at Old Trafford in the coming year:

Antonio Valencia

The Ecuadorian international has emerged as one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenant this season and has held his own as a right-back. Extremely solid and exceedingly consistent, Valencia has been praised from all corners for his displays this term.

Having been with the club since 2009, when he moved from Wigan, Valencia knows the club in and out and is the epitome of hard work and determination. There have been various instances where the 31-year old has struggled at the club, but has always bounced back stronger. And he has excelled in his new role of right-back and recently signed a one-year extension with the club, that will keep him at the Old Trafford till 2018.

A strong character, with plenty of experience and a diligent worker for the team, Valencia could be the right option to take this team forward post-Rooney and Carrick’s speculated departure.

David De Gea

United’s best player in the past few years, David De Gea is a key figure at the Theatre of Dreams and continues to enhance his ever-growing reputation as the world’s best goalkeeper with excellent displays week after week.

Having joined from Atletico Madrid in 2011 as a wiry youngster, De Gea’s rise to the pinnacle of goalkeeping has not been easy by any stretch of an imagination. The Spaniard was constantly criticized for his shaky displays during his early days at the Old Trafford, but his will to succeed and his strong resolve have seen him emerge as United’s most valued asset in recent times, having won the United Player of the Year for two years running now.

Calm and composed, De Gea exudes extreme confidence that rubs off on his teammates and more often than not inspires them. His presence on the field provides a great assurance for the team and despite plenty of rumours linking him with a move back to Spain recently, De Gea has expressed his will to stay with United. The United No.1 has proven with his performances over the years, that he is deserving and befitting of the captain’s armband.

Juan Mata

From being the most likely candidate to depart from Old Trafford upon Mourinho’s arrival to becoming one of the most important players this season, the journey of Juan Mata has been incredible, to say the least.

The Portuguese sold Mata upon his return to Chelsea back in 2013 and the Spaniard has well and truly become a fan favourite at Old Trafford. There were struggles in the early stages, with David Moyes and then Louis Van Gaal struggling to find the best role for the former Valencia and Chelsea man. But Mata kept plugging away, scoring crucial goals at every opportunity he got, making telling contributions in whatever chances that came his way.

However, this season under Mourinho, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Mata has been by far the most consistent performer for the Red Devils throughout the campaign. Everyone believed that his time at United was up when he was withdrawn in the Community Shield game against Leicester City, after coming on as a second-half substitute. But the Spaniard stuck to his guns and has had a huge impact having already scored 7 times and set up two more. With so much attacking talent available at United, he might not be a regular starter, but surely has stood up when needed and can be the outside contender for the United captaincy.

Why Not Chris Smalling

The current third-choice captain, Chris Smalling, has had to endure a difficult spell this term with some off colours displays. Injuries and the rise of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo haven’t helped the former Fulham defender.

When Sir Alex Ferguson signed Smalling back in 2010, great things were expected from the Englishman. However, with Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand still going strong, he struggled to make a great impact. But it was under previous United manager, Louis Van Gaal, when Smalling completely bloomed and started putting solid performances one after another and was soon rewarded with the captaincy during Rooney and Carrick’s absence.

But his struggles in the ongoing season under Mourinho have hurt his chances badly. He looks off the pace, the tackles are not sticking and on plenty of occasions, he has looked complacent at the back, looking like a shadow of his past self. And with the emergence of Eric Bailly along with Jones and Rojo impressing heavily, his place in the first-team may not be a guarantee. Hence it would be safe to say that he should not be in the running for the captaincy.

Other Options

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba are currently the most influential players at the club, but it would not be the most prudent thing to burden Pogba with captaincy this early after his return, while Zlatan will hardly stay for another season at the most and may not feature as regularly as he has this season.

The Verdict

With Smalling’s performances on a downslide this season, he may not be the most popular choice for the captaincy. Juan Mata is no doubts a strong team player but does he possess the qualities necessary to lead a team? Can he take up the mantle of being a leader? Probably not. And while David De Gea is worthy of being the leader of this team, Antonio Valencia should be handed the captain’s armband, owing to his greater experience and seniority in the team and his strong presence on the field.

Who do you think should be the next United captain? Have your say below.