MANCHESTER UNITED stars have been left stunned after Cristiano Ronaldo failed to show up for their pre-match meet on Saturday night.
Ronaldo was ruled out of the demoralising 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Sunday afternoon with a hip flexor injury.
SunSport understands United stars were left shocked after Ronaldo failed to join his team-mates for their one-night stay at The Lowry.
He was ruled out of the derby clash at the Etihad after picking up a knock and opted not to travel with the team.
But members of the squad believed a player as senior as Ronaldo should have joined them for support ahead of such a massive game.
The decision not to travel with the squad follows reports last month that United’s stars were involved in a dressing room rift over whether it was right to ditch Mason Greenwood.
Another well-placed United source said in January that a number of players feel certain senior team-mates have too much sway with interim boss Ralf Rangnick on big decision.
A source said: “The players have their own cliques, one of which is making the others feel like they need to step up a level when it is the whole team that’s struggling.”
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BETTING SPECIAL – GET CITY AT 25/1 OR UNITED AT 100/1
Ronaldo was absent as Rangnick and the Manchester United squad met up at The Lowry hotel as part of their pre-match routine.
As Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Co reported for duty on Saturday night, Ronaldo was nowhere to be seen.
Edinson Cavani, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw were also missing as United players entered the plush hotel in Manchester city centre.
Ronaldo did take part in full training on Wednesday, but his last minute injury picked up on Friday leaves United short of options up front for the mouthwatering clash.
Speaking on the reason for CR7’s absence, Rangnick said: “Cristiano had some problems with his hip flexor on Friday and since then didn’t play.”
Greenwood’s arrest and Cavani’s injury woes leaves Rangnick looks weak in attack for a game that could make or break United’s season.
Club legend Gary Neville though reckons Ronaldo’s absence is ‘not a big loss’ against Manchester City.
He said on Sky Sports before the drubbing: “Actually Cristiano not being in the team, I could never say it’s a positive, but actually I don’t see it as the big loss that I might do in other games.
“Because I actually think on the counter attack Manchester United need to be dangerous today, and they’re better off with Rashford up front counter attacking than they would be with Cristiano I think.”
Neville though was way off with his match prediction as a spineless United performance resulted in a demoralising 4-1 defeat.
Rangnick’s side were picked apart at the hands of their rivals, with Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez both scoring twice.
Jadon Sancho was one bright spark for the Red Devils and gave the visitors hope with a fine curling effort before the floodgates opened.
But overall it was a day to forget.
The result leaves United fifth in the Premier League table, a point behind fourth-placed Arsenal, but having played THREE games more.
⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
