Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United’s interim manager, has confirmed that his squad will be without five first-team players when they face Liverpool at Anfield.
Despite the Portuguese midfielder being involved in a car accident on Monday morning, the Red Devils will be able to call on Bruno Fernandes. Fred, Raphael Varane, Scott McTominay, Luke Shaw, and Edinson Cavani, on the other hand, are set to be absent.
All five players were absent on Saturday as United held off a Norwich City comeback to defeat Dean Smith’s side at Old Trafford.
As Rangnick has acknowledged, there were defensive flaws during the 3-2 triumph, but Varane’s sustained absence could be a worry.
“Rapha didn’t practice with the team, but he was out on the field with one of our rehab coaches,”
Rangnick stated in his pre-match press conference (per the MEN ). “In terms of injuries, we’re in the same boat as we were the last two games.”
Varane has not played for Manchester United since a 1-1 draw with Leicester City on April 2.
This season has already seen a number of setbacks for the former Real Madrid player, with hamstring and groin issues keeping him out.
United’s weekend win over Norwich, combined with Arsenal and Tottenham’s setbacks, has pushed Rangnick’s team back into the top four battle. However, a loss at Anfield might put them on the back foot right away.
In what would wind up being one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final games in command before his departure in November, Liverpool won the reverse encounter 5-0 at Old Trafford.
Jurgen Klopp’s side is still in contention for four trophies, having already won the Carabao Cup, and can go top of the Premier League with three points on Tuesday night.
The fact that Liverpool’s players continue to impress, according to Rangnick, is “no coincidence.”
Indeed, he and his scouting team can take credit for the careers of Ibrahima Konate, Roberto Firmino, and others, with the former RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim manager having a hand in their development.
“Over the previous six and a half years, Jurgen has constructed that team. He stated, “Six or seven of those players used to be mine – or our – players.”
“We signed them for our clubs when no one had heard of them, and it’s no surprise that this is arguably the club with the most former players.
” Their approach to football, their style of play, and the way they want to play are all very similar.”