Edinson Cavani declared himself unavailable for Manchester United's Premier League game with Southampton this morning after undergoing treatment on a groin injury.
The Uruguayan started the draw with Burnley on Tuesday but picked up a groin issue in the final training session on Friday and despite treatment overnight he ruled himself out on the morning of the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo was benched at Turf Moor to make way for Cavani but he is back in the starting line-up as United search for a goalscoring touch having scored more than once only three times in 12 games under Ralf Rangnick.
“I decided to start with Cristiano today, Edi had to pull out after training last night, he has groin problems, he had treatment the whole night and whole morning but in the end he said he’s just not available," Rangnick told MUTV of Cavani's absence.
“It would be good [if Ronaldo scored] but no matter who scored for us it's important to win the game."
Cavani's absence from the squad sees Hannibal Mejbri make the bench for the first time in the Premier League this season. Alex Telles is also back on the bench with Nemanja Matic missing out with a shin injury.
“He [Hannibal] was already in the squad in the cup game, since we had Edinson not available it was clear he should be part of the squad," said Rangnick.
United face an in-form Southampton team and Ralph Hassenhutl has picked the same team that won 3-2 at Tottenham on Wednesday night.
"I've worked with Ralph for two years so I’m fully aware what kind of football they will play, everyone could see that at Tottenham, they deserved to win," he said.
"We’re fully aware we’re playing a top team and we have to be on the same level against Burnley but not just for 45 or 70 minutes, but for 94 to 95 minutes."
