Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has sympathised with current skipper Harry Maguire after it emerged he had been issued a bomb threat following Tuesday's defeat at Anfield.
Maguire, like many of his teammates, endured a tough evening on Merseyside with Mo Salah, Luis Diaz and Thiago, among others, running United amok.
Having endured a tough week on the pitch and violent threats off it, Ralf Rangnick chose to take his captain out of the firing line for the Saturday lunchtime trip to top four-chasing Arsenal.
Ferdinand criticised those who issued the threats, saying punishments needed to be dished out, but said his exclusion from the starting XI was based on performances.