It is fashionable to write about things "missed" during a match that are often seen. One thing that was missed during Manchester United's victory over Everton four weeks ago was that Harry Maguire briefly captained the side.

Maguire, sent on in the 56th minute, received the armband from Bruno Fernandes when he was substituted 10 minutes later. It is the first time Maguire had the armband strapped to his bicep since he was stripped of the captaincy in July 2023.

Raphael Varane, Scott McTominay and Casemiro skippered United in the matches Fernandes did not start in last season. Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez had the privilege against Barnsley and Fenerbahce in Fernandes' absence this term.

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Erik ten Hag never entertained the prospect of handing the armband back to Maguire. Casemiro led the team out for all five of their pre-season friendlies in Norway, Scotland and the United States. With substitutions rife, the armband was often passed around and not once was it given to Maguire. Toby Collyer, Andre Onana and Tom Heaton all wore it instead of him.

Martinez received the elastic cloth from Fernandes after his impetuous red card against Wolves. Martinez was on the pitch at the same time as Maguire against Everton when he was reassigned the captaincy for an interim period. Fernandes, possibly recognising Maguire's longer service at United, appointed him as his replacement for 24 minutes.

The likelihood is Martinez will be at the front of the queue in the Old Trafford tunnel against Newcastle on Monday evening. Casemiro, down to replace the suspended Manuel Ugarte, is more senior but so inconsequential he has started in two of United's eight games this month. Casemiro's appearance off the bench at Wolves was his first in 12 days.

Martinez and Maguire were the only starters who performed to an inoffensive level in the limp loss at Wolves. With Fernandes also suspended against Newcastle, the prospect of Maguire captaining United as a starter for the first time since May 2023 was raised on Boxing Day. Amorim seemed disinterested.

"You will have to wait until the game and you will see the guy," he replied. Amorim almost always answers questions at length so it is apparent when he is not engaged by one.

He was pressed on Maguire's standing in the squad. "He works really well, he's focused on the job, not what people say, he has no excuses even if he had some tough moments. I think in that department, he is an example, he's there to play, to help the team, he's trying to do that."

Amorim described Maguire as "perfect" for a back three after he mollified Erling Haaland a fortnight ago. In the Etihad Stadium mixed zone, Maguire addressed his future, with his contract due to expire in June.

If Maguire thought Amorim's words had strengthened his bargaining hand, he may want to refresh his memory. David de Gea and Raphael Varane were two United players who had the option of an additional year on their deals in the last two years and both were released.

Maguire earns around £200,000-a-week and the penny-pinching Sir Jim Ratcliffe has hiked ticket prices and ended a £40,000 annual donation to a former players charity this month alone. Maguire has already missed eight weeks of this season and was unavailable for 17 games last term through injury, including United's run-in and the European Championship.

He was omitted from the England squad for their Nations League fixtures against Greece in Finland in October before he succumbed to injury. Maguire will turn 32 in March and will be a year older than Varane was when United decided his contract would be shredded.

It is difficult to imagine the miserly Ratcliffe extending Maguire's stay unless United obtain a fee for him. And there is a recent cautionary tale there.

United extended Victor Lindelof's deal by a year last winter (whilst he was out injured) with a view to selling him in the summer. Only Lindelof was so consistently injured he was unsellable.

He is currently injured again. United should have seen that coming.