Why Harry Maguire has been dropped from the Manchester United team vs Arsenal

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been dropped from the side to face Arsenal after Ralf Rangnick decided he needed a break after a difficult week.

Maguire was the subject of a bomb threat at his home after United's defeat to Liverpool in midweek and with Raphael Varane back fit the skipper has been left on the bench at the Emirates.

Rangnick has reverted to a back four, having begun the midweek fixture with a three-man defence, and it is Victor Lindelof who partners Varane.

READ MORE: Arsenal vs United LIVE team news and goal updates

“I had to make a decision between the three of them, Harry has had a tough week so I decided to give him a rest and play Rapha Varane and Victor Lindelof," Rangnick told MUTV.

There are five changes in total from the side beaten so comfortably at Anfield in midweek. Varane and Scott McTominay return from injury absences and Cristiano Ronaldo is back from compassionate leave. Alex Telles and Jadon Sancho have been promoted from the bench.

The return to fitness of Varane and McTominay is a boost and Rangnick confirmed that Fred will also be back in training early next week.

“It’s good to have them back since we had a lot of players missing for Liverpool, especially in defensive midfield, in the next couple of days Fred will also be resuming training, for today it was important to have those three players available," he said.

United have to beat Arsenal to sustain their hopes of a top-four challenge but Rangnick is anticipating a tricky game against the Gunners.

“We have to make sure it’s not too open, not as open as we were at times against Liverpool, it’s about being compact, good on the counter, having our own pressing and counter-pressing moments and on the other hand