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Football

06th Mar 2022

Rangnick confirms Cavani ruled himself out of selection for Manchester derby

Daniel Brown

Cavani has missed the last five games with a groin problem

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick confirmed that Edinson Cavani ruled himself out of selection for the Manchester derby on Sunday.

The Uruguayan was not part of the Red Devils’ squad for the visit to the Etihad Stadium, despite Rangnick suggesting on Friday that the striker would be fit.

Cavani has missed 31 games through injury this season and has made just 15 appearances so far in all competitions, registering two goals and one assist.

The striker has missed the last five games with a groin problem, but he was expected to return to the Red Devils’ squad for the Manchester derby.

However, Rangnick has since revealed that the former Paris Saint-Germain forward decided that he wasn’t fit enough to feature against Pep Guardiola’s men.

Speaking to MUTV, the German said: “Edi [Cavani] trained well the last three days but in the end didn’t feel quite well enough to play.”

United are also without talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, who was ruled out of the derby with a hip injury. However, other reports suggested that the Portuguese captain is not actually injured and has instead been dropped by Rangnick.

An Instagram account – followed by Ronaldo – suggested that the forward asked to be left out of the squad after being told that he would be on the bench against City due to ‘tactical’ reasons.

Katia Aveiro, Ronaldo’s sister, increased speculation that the report might be correct by liking the post.

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