Rangnick is facing huge call on captain Maguire ahead of crunch period

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A report has emerged claiming some of Harry Maguire’s Manchester United teammates have questioned his place in the side.

The Times claim that some United players have aired their frustration about Maguire’s continued place in the side despite his poor form this season.

Maguire has had injuries and has been backed publicly by Ralf Rangnick, who pointed out his strong performance in the win over West Ham.

But with the Manchester derby signalling the start of a crunch period in March for United, Rangnick now has a huge decision to make.

Maguire was rested, or dropped, depending on your view of things, for United’s last game, the 0-0 home draw against Watford.

Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane are the men in possession of the central defensive starting spots and kept a clean sheet last time out.

If Rangnick leaves his captain out again against Manchester City on Sunday, he can say that he is just sticking with a backline which did not put a foot wrong against the Hornets.

It gives him a slightly easier way of doing it, and while it would still be a big talking point, now is the time to take the plunge if he is going to.

With March bringing the sternest examination of United’s defence since Rangnick took interim charge, it is important he gets the decision right.

He could of course continue to put faith in Maguire, dropping Lindelof (most likely) for the derby and keeping patience with him through clashes with Tottenham and Atletico Madrid this month.

But Lindelof and Varane have the makings of a decent pairing, with composure on the ball and good passing ability, as well as more mobility than Maguire is currently offering.

The report about Maguire’s standing among his teammates only increases the pressure on Rangnick to make a call on Maguire which has been steadily building for months.

Leaving the captain out for one of the biggest games of the season would bring headlines, but Rangnick has already left Cristiano Ronaldo out of starting elevens, which shows he is not scared to make big calls.