Harry Maguire is set to be dropped from the starting line-up by Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick, claim reports.The Red Devils travel to the Emirates on Saturday for a season-defining clash with Arsenal which could go a long way to deciding which - if any - will grab fourth spot and secure Champions League football for next season.
Realistically, United need a win to remain in the hunt, with the Gunners and Tottenham both three points ahead and having played a game less and both with a far superior goal difference.
And according to the Athletic, club captain Maguire will pay the price for his poor recent form by being relegated to the substitutes' bench.
The centre half, 29, came in for particular criticism after his side's 4-0 thrashing against Liverpool on Tuesday, and was fallible for the Reds' first goal after just five minutes and their fourth too.
Furious fans got #MaguireOut trending on Twitter after the game following his gaffes.
Interim manager Rangnick recognises fan and pundit reaction to his form tends to be extreme - perhaps given his blue-riband £80million price tag - and believes taking him out of the firing line would be a compassionate decision.
The 42-cap England international was also subject to a horrific emailed bomb threat at his Cheshire mansion he shares with fiancee Fern Hawkins and his two daughters.
Police sniffer dogs carried out urgent bomb searches in the wake of the anonymous threat, with the security team around Maguire thought to have been beefed up.
However, he is keen to travel with the squad and is likely to be on the substitutes' bench if and when the manager needs him.
Police said they were 'called to reports of a bomb threat at an address in the Wilmslow area,' and that 'no evacuations took place, but as a precautionary measure a police explosives dog has attended the address this afternoon, Thursday, 21 April, to conduct a search of the gardens and surrounding area.'
A spokesperson for Maguire described the incident as 'a serious threat' but insisted the defender was 'continu(ing) to prepare for this weekend's fixture as normal'.
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