Cristiano Ronaldo did not train with his Manchester United team-mates on Thursday morning due his ongoing hip flexor injury.
The Portuguese icon was also absent from the group on Wednesday and missed his team's humiliating 4-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City at the Etihad last weekend.
Ronaldo, 37, has been spotted at United's Carrington training ground this week, as he continues his recovery ahead of a return to first-team action.
The veteran - who is reportedly discussing his United future - has endured a tough start to the calendar year, scoring just one goal in his eight Premier League appearances.
His troubling hip injury kept him out of two games in January - both against Aston Villa - and threatens to hamper the end of his first season back at Old Trafford.
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"I have to believe my medical department," said interim manager Ralf Rangnick after the defeat to Man City last Sunday.
"My doctor came to see me on Friday morning before training and told me Cristiano Ronaldo cannot train because of some problems with his hip flexor and the same was true on Saturday and that's why he couldn't be part of the squad."
But Ronaldo's former team-mate Roy Keane was not convinced by the player's injury.
"The surprise is Ronaldo with the problem with his hip flexor, but United have a bit of pace they still have to come out and play with pride and quality," Keane told Sky Sports.
"Elanga is a good player, positive and is an intelligent player.
"There seems to be something more with the Ronaldo situation, the manager coming out talking about something about his hip flexor but the man is a machine and is rarely injured.
"But every now and again he comes out with that about his hip flexor, doesn’t add up to me."
Although Ronaldo didn't train with the group on Thursday morning, Raphael Varane and Edinson Cavani did.
Varane missed the defeat to Man City after contracting Covid but is now out of isolation, while Cavani hasn't played since February due to a groin strain.
Both players are expected to be fit for United's must-win game against Tottenham, who can leapfrog the Red Devils with a victory at Old Trafford on Saturday.
United are currently fifth in the Premier League, one point behind Arsenal in fourth having played three games more.
Rangnick's side also have a crucial Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening. The competition is their last chance to win a trophy this season.
"Edi trained well in the last three days but, in the end, he didn't feel quite well enough to be able to play," added the German coach last Sunday.
"What does it help if I tell you it's frustrating? It's just a fact if players tell the doctor and the medical department that they are injured and cannot play.
"I have to accept it as a manager... I cannot force a player to play if he thinks he's not available because he has an injury."
