Cristiano Ronaldo has caused amazement at Manchester United. Even before the lost derby against Manchester City (4-1), the injured Portuguese took the plane.
A few hours before the kick-off of the Manchester Derby, it was leaked that Ronaldo would not play. The reason: a recurring hip injury, according to manager Ralf Rangnick. That reading is doubted in England and according to The Athletic, Ronaldo was no longer in the country when Manchester City and Manchester United kicked off on Sunday at 5.30 pm.
Ronaldo took the plane to Portugal when it turned out that he would not play, it sounds. It caused ‘amazement’ in United’s dressing room, given the importance of the game. Injured players are not required to attend matches, but it is said that Ronaldo’s team-mates feel his presence at the stadium could have been helpful given his status.
“I have to believe our medical staff,” Rangnick said after the loss to City. “Our doctor came to me on Friday with the message that Ronaldo could not train because of hip complaints. That was also the case on Saturday.”
The 37-year-old star has barely missed a game since his return to Old Trafford. With 1,835 Premier League minutes, he is one of the most frequently played players, even though he only signed with Manchester United at the end of August.
