Cristiano Ronaldo is a major doubt for Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace.
According to The Sun, the Portuguese talisman injured his knee while doing his trademark goal celebration after scoring the match-winner in Thursday’s 3-2 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford.
The absence of Ronaldo would be a blow for not only Manchester United but Ralf Rangnick, who vowed to get the best of the 36-year-old, because it will be his first game in charge of the team.
Rangnick said (via The Mirror): “You always have to adapt your style or your idea of football to the players you have available, not visa versa.
“Having seen Cristiano against Arsenal in the second half at the age of 36, he is an amazing top professional.
“At his age, I’ve never seen a player who is that physically fit. He’s still a player who can easily make the difference.
“So yes, it’s about how we can develop the whole team, not only Cristiano. We play in the most competitive league in the world so we need all the players on board.
“What I saw from Cristiano, he is more than willing to do that, to put his input into the team. His team-mates will have to do the same.”
I don’t think Rangnick will be asking Ronaldo to stop his celebration – but does he need do it every time he scores? ‘Suiii’ has become a thing at Old Trafford and sections of the crowd do it, too.
Moreover, Ronaldo can’t really afford to be picking up knee injuries when Edinson Cavani is hardly ever fit enough to stand in.
There is a myth that exists about Ronaldo which is brewing in the media every day at this rate – that he won’t press or follow the methods of Rangnick’s coaching.
I feel Ronaldo has played football long enough to understand the consequences of not following a manager’s instructions. I’m not worried about the situation, but that would leave the manager with no other choice but to bench him.
Ronaldo scored his 801st career goal against Arsenal.
However, he was substituted after 88 minutes and walked gingerly off the pitch. Part of me thought he was wrecked after running the full length of the pitch before coming off.
Rangnick will be other options like Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial – and we expect him to give everyone a chance over the coming weeks, with the ultimate aim being to win every match.
Let us know in the comments section who should start up front if Ronaldo is ruled out?
If Cavani is fit, he would have been the perfect replacement, but since he too is not available, the greenwood will do. Will like to see how crystal palace play tactically tomorrow, whether they will follow the wolves, Newcastle united template.