MANCHESTER UNITED could have Cristiano Ronaldo back for their crucial clash with top-four rivals Arsenal.
The 37-year-old missed United’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool on Tuesday.
RalfRangnick needs a response from his squad after the 4-0 loss to LiverpoolCredit: GETTYCristiano Ronaldo could return to action this weekendCredit: GETTYPaul Pogba could miss the rest of the seasonCredit: GETTY
Ronaldo’s newborn son tragically passed away and he was given compassionate leave to be with his family and partner Georgina Rodriguez.
However, the United ace has been back in training over the past few days and couple be in line to feature on Saturday against Arsenal.
Club captain Harry Maguire is also preparing for this weekend’s fixture despite receiving a bomb threat.
Cheshire police with sniffer dogs have been sent to the mansion where Maguire lives with fiancee Fern Hawkins and their two daughters.
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Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has called the incident “another bad sign of the crazy world we live in.”
Rangnick said: “I haven’t seen him because I only got to know about this terrible, terrible thing yesterday afternoon and I haven’t been able to speak with him.
“It’s Another bad sign of the crazy world we’re living in, I feel sorry for Harry he had that terrible experience, he knows everyone is behind him, the club, his teammates. It’s sad enough that crazy things like that happen.”
United will be without midfielder Paul Pogba after the Frenchman picked up a knock early on in the first half at Anfield.
Youngster Hannibal could be handed the opportunity to impress
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And the 4-0 loss could turn out to be his last outing in a Man Utd shirt.
The Frenchman is out of contract this summer and looks likely to leave Old Trafford for FREE for the second time in his career.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick has confirmed Pogba’s injury will take FOUR WEEKS minimum to recover from.
Rangnick said: “Paul has had A scan. It is very unlikely he will play again this season.
“The doctor told me it will take four weeks minimum for him to recover and the last game is end of May. I don’t think it’s very likely he will play again.”
Rangnick could ditch the back three he started with against Liverpool and to to a back four.
Captain Maguire would certainly come back into the line-up.
Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof could both be dropped with summer signing Raphael Varane returning to training after missing the previous three games through injury.
Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could keep their places at wing-back with left-back Luke Shaw potentially out for the remainder of the season.
In midfield, Scott McTominay could find himself alongside youngster Hannibal Mejbri and Bruno Fernandes in midfield.
Mejbri was praised for his short cameo in the 4-0 loss to Liverpool, showing fight some senior players lacked.
United legend Gary Neville said on the 19-year-old: “To be fair at least the kid’s showing something.
“Honestly, it takes a young kid to come on and show the rest of them how to sprint to the ball and put a challenge in. I’m actually proud of him.
“Maybe he doesn’t like the idea of Liverpool passing around him, I wish the others were the same.”
Ronaldo could be joined in attack by Anthony Elanga and Jadon Sancho.
Alternatively, should Varane not be deemed fit enough, Lindelof could start despite his error against Liverpool.
Arsenal menace Jesse Lingard may also be handed a rare start with the attacker boasting an impressive record against Arsenal.
Lingard has FIVE goals and THREE assists against Arsenal in ten games played.
