The boss firmly declined to answer the question but there is bound to be plenty of debate as to who fills in for the skipper, as he serves a one-game suspension following the fifth yellow card of his Premier League campaign, against Bournemouth last Saturday.
"Yes I know [who it will be]," said Erik. "[Will I tell you?] No."
When pushed on the matter by MUTV's Mark Sullivan in our club media interview, the manager explained why he could not reveal the details, saying: "It is not a secret but, first, I want to tell the player and the team who it is.