MANCHESTER UNITED legend Andy Cole has blasted Ralf Rangnick's idea that the captain should be "elected" by the players amid Harry Maguire's poor form this season.

The Red Devils have endured a turbulent campaign.

From the sacking of legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, extending their trophy drought to over five years and missing out on a top-four finish.

And things could yet get worse as United could find themselves playing Europa Conference League football next term.

David Moyes' West Ham could do the unlikely and beat Premier League table toppers Manchester City on Sunday to draw level on points with United and edge them out to sixth-place on goal difference.

But one of the main talking points this season has been club captain Maguire's leadership and form.

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The England international has become a lightning rod for criticism and has faced calls for him to be stripped of the captaincy and dropped from the starting eleven.

And interim manager Rangnick expressed last month that he "strongly" believes the captain should be elected by the team and not installed by the manager.

It is a system Rangnick says is used in his native Germany which has also been adopted by other Prem bosses such as City's Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

But United legend Cole says that's not how it's typically done in England – especially at United.

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Fellow greats Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Steve Bruce didn't rise to the captaincy at Old Trafford via a vote from their peers – the players knew what they were "going to get".

Speaking exclusively to SunSport ahead of a Masters Football event in association with Bookmakers.com, Cole said: "What they do in Germany is not what they do in England.

"If Harry had a really good season, they wouldn't be talking about the captaincy.

"He's had a tough season like everyone else. Ultimately, no doubt he will address that come next season.

"Man Utd have had some unbelievable captains; [Bryan] Robbo, Roy [Keane], [Steve] Brucey.

"Unfortunately, they don't make them like that anymore.

"So when you talk about voting on the captain in Germany – that's Germany.

"In England, Man Utd didn't vote on Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Roy Keane. 

"They didn't vote on those because they're players that you know what you're going to get."

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The final decision on who will wear the captain's armband next season will be made by incoming boss Erik ten Hag.

But whether Rangnick, who will move into an advisory role this summer, will have an influence on Ten Hag's decision is yet to be seen.

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