Harry Maguire: Manchester United Captain Opens Up on Alleged Conflict Between Him and Cristiano Ronaldo

• Harry Maguire has dismissed reports that had indicated that there was an apparent rift between him and Cristiano Ronaldo
• Previous reports had indicated that Ronaldo did not feel that Maguire deserved to be the club's captain
• The embattled defender has however rubbished those claims and hailed praise on Ronaldo instead calling him a magnificent character

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has for the first time spoken about the alleged rift between him and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reports had been rife that Maguire did not take the news of Ronaldo's return to the club too well. He allegedly felt that his position as the club's captain was underwhelmed or undermined by the presence of the Portuguese star.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Manchester United star remains adamant on exit despite showdown talks with Alex Ferguson

Football

However, Maguire has dismissed these as rumours. He has instead hailed Ronaldo's impact on United's dressing room. The Mirror reports that the English captain jumped to the defence of Ronaldo even as his future remained uncertain.

He is a magnificent player and a magnificent character to have around us. I know what it's like to have a lot of media speculation around myself. But he takes the majority of it. Everything he does is scrutinised to the nth degree.

Reports had indicated that Maguire would be stripped of the captaincy with Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes hot favourites to take over. The Red Devil's head coach Erik ten Hag has since retained Maguire ahead of the new season.

United will be hoping to sort out their dressing room issues and rectify the wrongs of last season that saw them record their lowest-ever tally in the Premier League. They begin their campaign against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.

Thomas Tuchel: Man United legend Roy Keane backs Chelsea boss to turn around his side's poor performance

Football

Erling Haaland refuses to be compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Erling Haaland is looking forward to making his English Premier League debut this weekend when Manchester City play West Ham.

All eyes will be on the new Manchester City striker, especially after a poor outing against Liverpool in the Community Shield, where he missed from point-blank range.

But even as he countdowns to that moment at the Londo Stadium, the former Borussia Dortmund striker has fought off accusations that he is like Cristiano Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Haaland has previously mentioned that he looks up to the accomplished strikers known for their bravado and confidence.