Harry Maguire to remain Manchester United captain despite court case

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he will support defender

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, left, leaves a court building on the island of Syros. Maguire was arrested on August 20 in Mykonos island along with his brother for assault and attack against police officers. EPA

England manager Gareth Southgate withdrew Maguire from his squad for the Nations League following his guilty verdict, but said would consider bringing Maguire back into the squad. EPA

Maguire leaves a courthouse on the Greek island of Syros, the administrative hub of the Cycladic island group that includes Mykonos. AFP

Manchester United have decided to retain Harry Maguire as captain. Reuters

England manager Gareth Southgate, right, and Harry Maguire. EPA

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Harry Maguire will remain Manchester United's captain this season despite his involvement in a Greek court case.

Maguire was given a suspended 21-month sentence last month after the England defender was found guilty of assaulting a police officer, swearing, resisting arrest and bribery during an incident in Mykonos.

The 27-year-old has denied the offences and has launched an appeal which nullifies the verdict and means he has no criminal record ahead of a full retrial.

Following the original court verdict, Maguire was withdrawn from England's squad for their recent Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark.

However, England manager Gareth Southgate has said would consider bringing Maguire back into the squad for the next internationals.

Now United boss Solskjaer has made it clear he will not punish his centre-back by stripping him of the captaincy.

"He's handled it really well and, of course, I'll be here to support him," Solskjaer told United's website on Saturday.

"He is going to be our captain. We'll just leave Harry and his people and the process to run."

Maguire was a key figure in his first season with United following his £80 million (Dh375m) move from Leicester, which made him the world's most expensive defender.

Solskjaer said Maguire had coped well with the incident in Greece.

"Of course, Harry, as you said, had a difficult summer. He didn't have a long break," Solskjaer said.

"His break was different to others as we gave him a few more days and, after, he's come back and looked fine. For me, he is a top, an absolute top human being and has always been a positive guy with the right values. So I really hope we can see Harry performing at his best."

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