Ralf Rangnick Says I cannot force players to play
Manchester United caretaker boss Ralf Rangnick has insisted he cannot force any injured player to play for the club.
The German responded to comments questioning the absence of several players ahead of United’s 4-1 loss to Manchester City on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly ruled out after suffering a hip flexor injury on Friday, while fellow striker Edinson Cavani was absent for the sixth game in a row.
However, speaking on Sky Sports, Roy Keane questioned Ronaldo’s injury: “We talk about Ronaldo being a machine and he rarely gets injured… it doesn’t fit me.”
However, Rangnick quashed those claims after the loss: “I have to believe my medical department. My doctor came to see me on Friday morning before training and told me that Cristiano Ronaldo is unable to train due to some problems with his flexor hip and the same thing happened on Saturday and that’s why he couldn’t be part of the squad.
“It’s just a fact, if the players tell the doctor and the medical department that they are injured and can’t play. I have to accept it as a coach.”
“I can’t force a player to play if he thinks he’s not available because he has an injury.”
Despite impressing for parts of the first half at the Etihad Stadium, the Red Devils went into half-time 2-1 behind, before a sluggish second-half performance saw United fall 4-1 to City.
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