Former captain Roy Keane is not convinced that Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is missing this afternoon's clash with Manchester City through a hip flexor injury.
As revealed by the Manchester Evening News on Saturday evening, the Portuguese star was not included in the squad for the 187th competitive instalment of the Manchester derby. He was not with the team at their hotel base last night and it has now been confirmed by interim manager Ralf Rangnick that he has missed out through "hip flexor injury."
In his absence, Bruno Fernandes is expected to operate as a false nine, with Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga offering support from the wide areas. United have enjoyed success against City in the past by playing on the counter-attack and they will be key to the Reds' efforts.
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However, Keane is not convinced that Rangnick has told the truth about Ronaldo's absence, insisting he does not "buy" what the German has said about the Portuguese international's injury.
Asked what he thinks Elanga and Sancho will bring to the forward line, Keane told Sky Sports : " I expect them to go wide and offer some pace. Fernandes will drop in, take his time and pick out the runners.
"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. 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. It doesn't add up to me."
Ronaldo has struggled for form in recent weeks and Rangnick is understood to have expressed doubts about his current troubles in front of goal. He has scored just once in his last eight Premier League appearances.
Without Ronaldo, United would have hoped to bring Edinson Cavani back into the side following an injury lay-off. However, he has not made the cut, meaning he will miss his fifth successive league game.
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