Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani are not available for Manchester United’s trip across town to face arch-rivals City in the Manchester Derby. The injury update leaves United manager Ralf Rangnick with only Marcus Rashford as an option for center-forward in his match-day squad. Defenders Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane are also unavailable.
Rashford starts the game on the bench, though, with Elanga, Bruno Fernandes, and Sancho forming the attacking trio on Sunday afternoon.
🔴 ð“ð„ð€ðŒ ðð„ð–ð’ 🔴
Introducing our Reds for the derby âš”ï¸#MUFC | #MCIMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 6, 2022
37-year-old Ronaldo is Manchester United’s top scorer this season, netting 15 times in 30 games across all competitions. Ronaldo only scored once since the start of the year, against Brighton, on 15 February. That beautiful long-range effort is the only goal he scored in his last 10 matches for United. Under Rangnick, scoring has been a problem for the Red Devils, as they total 17 goals in the past 12 games.
“It’s not an issue with Cristiano, it’s also an issue with all the other players,” Rangnick defended the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, but also accepted that his super forward needs to score more.
City is the big favorite on Sunday
Rashford, who could play a key role coming from the bench for United in the Manchester derby, hasn’t scored since United’s 1-0 win over West Ham United on 21 January. Rangnick said the striker has “abundant talent” and wants to work alongside the England international to get him back to his best form.
“I will put all my energy into that, to help him take the same pathway that other players did in the last three months,” the Man United manager stressed.
City is at -300 to beat United, with a United win at +700 and a draw at +500. The bookies believe a 2-0 scoreline is the most probable, with a +600 return. The same score in United’s favor is at +4900.
City’s Riyad Mahrez is the likeliest to score at the Etihad, with a bet on him netting at +100. Rashford is regarded as the most dangerous United player by the bookies, with a goal from him at +450. Rashford is seconded by Elanga at +500.
Man United is fourth in the Premier League table after 27 rounds, with City first.
