has explained his decision to drop Harry Maguire for the crucial Premier League clash with as returns for .
Rangnick made five changes to the side that , with Maguire, Phil Jones, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford making way for Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, Alex Telles, Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho.
Ronaldo but returns against Arsenal as Manchester United look to make up ground on their top-four rivals.
Red Devils captain Maguire has dropped to the bench after a difficult week in which he and his family were the .
Asked about Maguire’s place on the bench, Rangnick said: ‘I had to make a decision between the three of them [centre-backs], only two could play and Maguire has had a tough week so I decided to give him a rest.’
On Ronaldo’s return, the interim boss added: ‘We spoke on the day he returned to training and he said he could train again and play again. It’s good to have him back in the squad.’
With England defender Maguire only on the bench, Bruno Fernandes captains Manchester United, who will be managed by Erik ten Hag next season following the .
Arsenal, who responded to three successive defeats with an , make one change to the starting line-up, with Cedric Soares replacing Rob Holding in defence.
Speaking before the Premier League clash at the Emirates, Old Trafford legend Rio Ferdinand called the bomb threats aimed at Maguire ‘disgraceful’.
‘It’s so disappointing to see. It’s a disgrace that a player has to go through that,’ the former United and England defender told BT Sport.
‘He hasn’t been in great form but nothing warrants that. It’s disgraceful and there needs to be consequences to that.’
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