Edinson Cavani has been replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo in the Manchester United starting lineup against Southampton this afternoon.
Cavani is not in the squad at all, having started the match against Burnley on Tuesday night, when Ronaldo was left on the bench.
Ralf Rangnick was asked to explain Cavani’s exclusion by MUTV ahead of the game and said that the striker has a groin injury.
He also shared why he felt that youngster Hannibal was the right man to replace Cavani in the matchday squad. He was in the FA Cup squad against Middlesbrough earlier this month but this is his first league inclusion this season.
“I decided to start with Cristiano Ronaldo, for a home game. Unfortunately, Edi had to pull out after training last night,” he said.
“He had some groin problems. We had treatment on him the whole night and the whole morning but in the end he said he’s not available.
On Hannibal, he added: “He was already in the squad for the cup game against Middlesbrough but when we had Edinson not available, it was clear that he should become part of the squad.”
Cavani’s season has been dogged by injuries. He has been unable to get a regular run in the side and when he has played, he has been below the standards he set last season.
It was the right decision to bring Ronaldo back into the team but having Cavani on the bench would have been a boost in a big game.
United do not have a huge amount of attacking substitutes available and that means that Hannibal could be called upon as the match wears on.
He has seemingly impressed Rangnick since the German arrived, despite not having a huge amount of time to train or play because of Tunisia duty at the FIFA Arab Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
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