Manchester United have named Maya Le Tissier as new captain for the upcoming 2024/25 campaign, following the summer departure of Katie Zelem.

The centre-back first joined the club two years ago from Brighton & Hove Albion, and has quickly established herself as a trusted member of the squad’s backline.

“It’s an honour to be named captain of this great football club and I will wear the armband with real pride, to help drive this team to success on and off the pitch,” she said.

Zelem, who lifted the FA Cup in May but left following the expiration of her contract the following month, had been in the role since 2019. The midfielder has since joined Angel City in the NWSL.

Le Tissier had had a standout couple of seasons, forming a strong partnership with Millie Turner, helping to achieve a WSL record 14 clean sheets in 2022/23 when United finished second.

Outside of club football, Le Tissier received her first senior England call-up in the wake of Euro 2022 and has made four appearances to date. She was on the standby list for the 2023 World Cup, travelling with the squad to Australia, although ultimately playing no part. But the 22-year-old’s international career has been hampered by Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman tending to view her as a full-back, where she played for former club Brighton, rather than a centre-back

Le Tissier was voted United’s joint Players’ Player of the Year at the end of the 2023/24 season, alongside Ella Toone, who has been appointed the new vice-captain. There was previously no named deputy to Zelem, although Hayley Ladd would often take the armband in the skipper’s rare absence.

While Le Tissier signed a new contract in April until 2028, Toone signed a similarly lengthy deal in 2022 that runs until the end of next season. The latter is also United’s all-time top appearance maker and goalscorer, with 53 strikes in 164 games for the club.

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