Cristiano Ronaldo ‘is set to miss training AGAIN’ due to hip flexor problem that ruled him out of Man United’s dismal derby defeat at rivals City – when he jetted off to Portugal instead of supporting his team-mates
- Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to miss training due to an ongoing injury problem
- The 37-year-old was absent from United’s derby day defeat to Manchester City
- The forward was the last one to leave Carrington on Tuesday despite not training
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to miss training on Wednesday with an ongoing hip flexor problem, having missed Manchester United’s derby day defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
The forward is yet to participate in the main team sessions since missing Sunday’s Manchester derby, causing concern for the Red Devils, as doubts continue to grow whether he will be fit in time for the weekend.
The players that didn’t feature in United’s 4-1 loss to City were in at the training ground on Monday, although the Portuguese superstar was not among them.
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly missing training for a third consecutive day
The forward returned to Carrington on Tuesday, but did not train with the group, although he was the last to leave the training ground
The 37-year-old was back at Carrington for Tuesday’s session, although he did not train with the group and is expected to miss out again today, according to the Telegraph.
The former Real Madrid forward first missed training on Friday having reported the aforementioned hip flexor problem to staff.
He later flew back to Portugal and was not at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to watch his team-mates soundly beaten by their local rivals.
Rangnick, however, responded to the scepticism around Ronaldo’s absence by saying: ‘My doctor came to see me on Friday morning before training and told me Cristiano Ronaldo cannot train because of some problems with his hip flexor and the same was true on Saturday and that’s why he couldn’t be part of the squad.’
Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick responded to the scepticism around Ronaldo’s absence
United have not yet commented on whether or not the trip to Portugal was sanctioned by the club.
Ronaldo’s future at the club has been questioned following the uncertainty around his absence from Sunday’s fixture at the Etihad.
Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro added fuel to the fire when she liked a social media picture suggesting the forward was not in fact injured.
Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro (right) added fuel to the fire when she liked a social media picture suggesting the forward was not in fact injured
But the superstar arrived at the club’s training complex ahead of the team session on Tuesday, as they prepare for this weekend’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
According to The Sun, Ronaldo was the last to leave after being escorted to Carrington by a team of bodyguards earlier in the day.
Rangnick will be hoping his training sessions can help turn their fortunes around after Sunday’s result saw the Red Devils drop down the table into fifth position.
However, it could be the cracks in the Manchester United dressing room that are threatening their chances of securing a Champions League spot.
Ivorian defender Eric Bailly is reportedly dismayed that out-of-form captain Harry Maguire keeps starting ahead of him.
There are cracks in the United dressing room with Eric Bailly (pictured) dismayed that Harry Maguire keeps starting ahead of him
The centre back has only made seven appearances for United this season and was on the bench for the 4-1 mauling against City, despite Raphael Varane testing positive for Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford is contemplating his future at Manchester United after falling down the pecking order under Rangnick.
The England international, who has just 18 months to run on his current contract, has not started a Premier League game since Manchester United’s clash with Southampton on February 12.
Marcus Rashford is reportedly contemplating his future at Old Trafford who has not started since mid February
Diogo Dalot is another player who is said to be unhappy at the Manchester club. The Portugal international was flourishing at United – having started eight straight games before losing his place to Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the 4-2 win over Leeds.
He has struggled to get back into the team since, with Wan-Bissaka keeping his place in the United line-up despite the underwhelming draw at home to Watford preceding the City defeat.
Ronaldo was the first of many players pictured arriving at Carrington. The likes of Fred, Diogo Dalot, Dean Henderson, and more arrived in their luxury cars.
As it stands, United are a point behind fourth-place Arsenal but the Gunners have three games in hand on Rangnick’s men.
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