Ralf Rangnick and Man United will have to cope without both Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani for the Manchester derby.
Man United face their toughest test yet under their new German manager, with a trip to league leaders Manchester City.
This has always been a notoriously difficult game over the last few years and we should expect no different today. Weirdly, we’ve actually done alright away at the ‘Emptihad’ – but we may well see a change in style in this one.
Ahead of the game, United have been dealt a double injury blow. According to the Daily Mail, a key pair of attackers have been ruled out of this derby game; Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani.
Although Ronaldo’s performances of late have left plenty to be desired, he remains the ultimate big-game player. He is capable of producing something out of nothing and that’s often what proves to be the difference in these types of games.
With United already looking thin on the ground up front anyway, losing our only two natural strikers just makes this even tricker. So-much-so that we may well see either Bruno Fernandes played as a false nine, out of position. Or Marcus Rashford deployed up there despite being out of form…
It also leaves us thin in terms of bench options. If the lads who are selected from the start are struggling, we don’t really have that many top-quality options to come off the bench and change the game – which is obviously a major concern.
In regards to the severity of the injuries to both Cavani and Ronaldo, we don’t really know all that much yet. It’ll be interesting to hear what Rangnick has to say when he’s speaking to the media ahead of this one.
Can Man United still get a positive result here? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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