NINE PLAYERS WHO INSPIRED MAGUIRE AND ROBSON

Harry Maguire and Bryan Robson reveal the players who inspired them as captains in the latest edition of UTD Podcast – and there may be some names that surprise you.

Maguire, United’s current skipper, and Robson, who wore the armband at Old Trafford for a record 12 years, each identify several players, shared between their previous clubs and the Reds.

For Harry, examples he has looked up in the dressing room include a Premier League winner, while two United legends-turned-pundits continue to offer valuable insight post-retirement.

“I think I’ve been lucky enough to play under some really good captains, really experienced players,” said Maguire. “I love speaking to ex-captains and seeing how they went about things.

“I find it interesting to listen to Gary [Neville] and Roy [Keane] when they speak in their podcasts.

“But no, I think I played under Chris Morgan at Sheffield United, who I learned a huge amount from, then I was under Michael Dawson at Hull and Wes Morgan at Leicester.

“So three really experienced pros who have been up and down the leagues and seen everything really. I definitely feel like I’ve learned an awful amount from them all.”

Robson was first handed the armband by Ron Atkinson in 1982, a year after signing for the Reds from West Bromwich Albion.

Martin Buchan was captain at that point, and Robbo named him as a big influence on his leadership style, along with two former Baggies and a European Footballer of the Year.

“All the time I was at West Brom, John Wile, the centre-half, was captain,” Robbo recalled. “Len Cantello was a leader on the pitch. [He was a] central midfield player as well, and a Manchester lad.

“He’s one of the best players I played with who never got capped by his country. He was a very good player.

“So [I was] influenced by that, then when I came to United, Martin Buchan was captain. He was really strict with all his team-mates, he wouldn’t be afraid to have a go if he thought people were doing something wrong.

“When I first went into the England team, Kevin Keegan was captain. He led by example, he was a top, top player. He played in Germany [and] won European Player of the Year [in 1978 and 1979]. Kevin was a big example of how to be a captain as well.

“I’ve had some really good players and good characters as captain before me.”