Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has been ruled out of Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Ronaldo, who is United’s top scorer this season with 15 goals in 30 appearances this season, is out through injury, according to The Athletic.
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The report also claims Edinson Cavani is not part of the squad for the clash at the Etihad Stadium, leaving Marcus Rashford as the only recognised striker.
Despite leading the goalscoring way for United this season, Ronaldo has scored just once in 2022, in the home win over Brighton on February 15.
His drought has contributed to United’s struggles in front of goal; despite sitting fourth, United have scored just 17 goals in their last 12 matches.
Last month, Rangnick admitted Ronaldo “should score more goals” but added “it is not only an issue with Cristiano, it’s also an issue with all the other players”.
During his press conference in the build-up to Sunday’s Manchester derby, Rangnick was asked by a journalist whether the reliance on an out-of-form and 37-year-old Ronaldo indicated “a failure of forward planning at this club”.
Rangnick did not mention the Portuguese in his response, instead focusing on the future of Marcus Rashford.
“A few things that happened in the last couple of weeks, or two months, or one and a half months could have been foreseen by nobody,” the German said.
“Now with Edinson at least being available for the upcoming games, we have other options.
“With Marcus Rashford, we have another player – I will assist and continuously be behind him and with him to develop him.
“We have seen that with quite a few other young players in the past and I don’t see why this shouldn’t happen with Marcus. He’s got abundant talent, he’s got the pace, the physicality.
“He’s got everything you need for a modern striker, no matter if he is playing from the wing or in the centre.
“I will put all my energy into that to help him to take the same pathway that other players did in the last three months.”
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