RALF RANGNICK has stood by his claim that Cristiano Ronaldo missed Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat against rivals City due to injury.
The Red Devils interim gaffer revealed prior to the Manchester derby that the 37-year-old was unavailable due to a hip flexor problem.
Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo missed the 4-1 defeat against City on Sunday
Red Devils interim gaffer Ralf Rangnick stated that Ronaldo was absent at the Etihad due to injury
He stated: “Cristiano had some problems with his hip flexor on Friday and since then didn’t play.”
Club legend Roy Keane questioned the injury claims before kick-off, where he said: “I don’t like it when the manager talks about this ‘hip flexor’ – I don’t get it.
“We talk about Ronaldo being a machine, very rarely injured then every now and again he comes out with ‘hip flexor’, it doesn’t add up to me.”
Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro added fuel to the fire that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner didn’t miss the match due to being unfit.
Aveiro liked an Instagram post claiming her brother wasn’t injured and was instead dropped by Rangnick.
Following the heavy defeat at the Etihad on Sunday, Rangnick addressed Keane’s comments where he insisted his star man wasn’t fit.
Roy Keane questioned whether Ronaldo missed the Manchester derby due to an injury
He remarked: “I have to believe my medical department.
“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.”
As revealed by SunSport, Ronaldo complained of an injury problem and flew to Portugal after being told he would not be starting.
Rangnick said he wanted fresh legs for the match and that he believed Ronaldo could make an impact from the bench.
But the United legend insisted he could do that from the start and was furious at being axed.
SunSport also understands that United’s squad were left stunned when the ex-Real Madrid ace didn’t show up to The Lowry Hotel to join up with the team on Saturday night.
Members of United believed a player as senior as Ronaldo should have joined them for support ahead of such a massive game.
