Ralf Rangnick gives theory on why Manchester United players are criticised

Ralf Rangnick believes some Manchester United players have copped flak this season because of comparisons with some of the club's greatest players.

Harry Maguire was sarcastically cheered off by a sizeable section of the Old Trafford crowd in the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid last month when he was substituted while Marcus Rashford and Fred have also been cheered off upon their withdrawals in home games.

Criticism of Maguire transmitted to Wembley, where he was booed when his named was announced prior to England's 3-0 friendly win over the Ivory Coast on Tuesday night.

Read more: Rangnick responds to Pogba's comments

Former United captains Roy Keane and Gary Neville are prominent pundits on Sky Sports while Premier League and Champions League winners Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes appear regularly on BT Sport, the other rights holder of domestic and European football.

Former players have repeatedly questioned the presence of Fred and Scott McTominay in the United midfield as an issue with the team's attempts to progress and Rangnick highlighted how well Fred has recovered since he received stick from United supporters in the November derby defeat to City.

"I don't think this is a personal thing, it hasn't anything to do with Harry himself," Rangnick said. "We know there are one or two other players who have been criticised in the last few months, but also one or two years.

"For example, Fred, a very important player as well for this team, a very valuable player, playing regularly in the starting XI for Brazil. I watched his first game he played in from the start and he did well.

"Maybe it's still got to do with the high expectations around this club and people just tend to compare with former big players