CRISTIANO RONALDO will NOT play against Leicester on Saturday evening after he was ruled out through illness. The Portuguese superstar was missing from the Manchester United squad as they arrived at The Lowry Hotel earlier in the day. And now the club has confirmed that he will not feature at Old Trafford due to “flu-like […]
CRISTIANO RONALDO will NOT play against Leicester on Saturday evening after he was ruled out through illness.
The Portuguese superstar was missing from the Manchester United squad as they arrived at The Lowry Hotel earlier in the day.
And now the club has confirmed that he will not feature at Old Trafford due to “flu-like symptoms”.
It means Ralf Rangnick faces a striker crisis as Edinson Cavani has also been ruled out through injury.
Rangnick told Sky Sports: “Unfortunately, he had some ‘flu-like symptoms, which he showed yesterday.
“Obviously, he should and would have played in the starting XI but he didn’t feel well and couldn’t train.
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“Then the doctor went to see him at his house this morning to check again but he didn’t feel any better and that’s why, unfortunately, that’s why he hasn’t been able to play.
“We will play our normal formation that we always play, with Bruno as a striker at a times, but also as a midfielder.
“Paul Pogba is one of the two offensive midfield players and this is how I have decided to play.”
Ronaldo helped his country to seal World Cup qualification this week as his team-mate Bruno Fernandes scored twice to down North Macedonia.
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He also played in Portugal’s play-off semi final victory over Turkey.
Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in Man Utd‘s last Premier League match – netting the treble in a 3-2 win over Tottenham.
But he is absent for the welcoming of Leicester to Old Trafford as the Red Devils hope to cling onto their slim chances of a top four finish.
The likely options for Man Utd interim boss Rangnick now appear to be to play either Anthony Elanga or Marcus Rashford through the middle.
Meanwhile, Harry Maguire was spotted arriving at The Lowry after Rangnick insisted that the Old Trafford crowd will get behind him after he was booed by England fans in midweek.
The United captain also got stick last time out at home for the Red Devils when his substitution was cheered against Atletico Madrid.
But as Maguire prepares to lead the team out against Leicester City this weekend, Rangnick is positive he will get the backing he needs.
Man Utd currently sit four points behind Arsenal and have played one game more.
