Harry Maguire was dumped by Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick amid unhappiness over latest error

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has decided to make four changes to the team that drew with Atletico Madrid midweek, including the removal of club captain Harry Maguire

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Rangnick admits Man Utd must continue to win the battle for 4th place

Harry Maguire was dumped by Ralf Rangnick because From Manchester United Premier League Collide with Watford on Saturday.

The England player is one of four changes compared to Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid midweek.

England, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are all on the bench.

Alex Telles, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Nemanja Matic and Anthony Elanga are four players on the field.

The decision to remove captain Maguire – still the world’s most expensive defender – is highlighted by recent questions about his influence as club captain and his lethargic form. .

Rangnick has supported his captain publicly, despite suggestions that he is not too flustered by claims that the England defender is feeling the strain during United’s inconsistent campaign.

Interim boss Rangnick has called Cristiano Ronaldo to guide young players on the team, which is understood to have led to deeper friction with Maguire.

And Sources close to Maguire told Mirror Football this month: “That’s what sets Harry apart, because he’s the captain and has to say and do whatever Ronaldo says, to keep things sweet.”

Maguire has not been at his best in recent months on the pitch.

Maguire was at fault for Joao Felix’s early goal in midweek, not being aware of the Portuguese players moving past him – while also not receiving a shout-out from Shaw.

The lack of contact between the pair has been highlighted on numerous occasions this season and has cost United a number of major games – notably a home defeat to City of Manchester at the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign.

Despite the duo’s familiarity with each other – playing together at centre-back and left-back regularly for both club and country over the past two years – it has been a source of frustration. at Old Trafford.

Rangnick confirmed to MUTV that the decision to make all four changes was purely due to rotation.

“This is our third game in six days, we only came back very late [in midweek] so it’s about fresh people, fresh feet, fresh energy and some of the things that we need tactically against this team,” he commented.

But it is understood he increasingly wants to take a closer look at the central defensive partnership of Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane, with the Frenchman returning from injury and the Swede having impressed. in recent weeks.

Bruno Fernandes wearing the captain’s armband in Maguire’s absence.