Rangnick dismisses Cristiano Ronaldo injury speculation after City hammer United 4-1 in Manchester derby
India Today
Premier League: Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick responded to Roy Keane's comments that there was more to Cristiano Ronaldo's absence than an injury concern during their 1-4 loss in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick dismissed speculation that there was more to Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from the team during their 1-4 loss to rival City in the Manchester derby on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium than an injury concern. Rangnick had confirmed that Ronaldo would not travel to Eithad for the 187th Manchester derby due to injury to his flexor.
However, questions were asked of Ronaldo's absence for one of the marquee matches in the Premier League. Former captain Roy Keane said Ronaldo rarely gets injured and Rangnick's claims ahead of the match did not add up.
United were hammered 1-4 as they did not have Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani who also missed out due to an injury. Riyad Mahrez and Kevin de Bruyne scored a double each as Jadon Sancho's superb curling goal in the first-half went in vain.
"The doctor came to see me on Friday and told me Cristiano cannot train due to a problem with his hip flexor and the same was true on Saturday and that's why he couldn't be part of the squad," Rangnick said.
"It's just a fact if players tell the medical department that they are injured and they cannot play I have to accept it," he added.
United were also without their Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani due to injury but Rangnick said he had been fit enough to train.
"Edi trained in the last three days, he trained well but he still felt after those three training sessions yesterday afternoon that he is still not fit to play. This is a fact. As a manager, I cannot force a player if he does not feel fit enough or well enough to play," said the German tactician.
