Ralf Rangnick admits he has a selection dilemma ahead of Atletico clash

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has admitted that he faces a tough decision picking his centre-back partnership in tomorrow night’s Champions League clash.

After missing the Manchester derby defeat due to testing positive for Covid-19, Raphael Varane returned to the starting line-up in Saturday’s 3-2 win against Tottenham.

The World Cup winner’s return to action saw Victor Lindelof drop to the bench and the former Real Madrid man partner club captain Harry Maguire at the heart of the United defence.

In the 11 games that Maguire and Varane have started and finished the game playing alongside one and other, the Reds are unbeaten this season.

That statistic was put to Rangnick in today’s pre-match press conference and the German was asked about how important having Varane available is to United’s chances of success.

The 63-year-old said: “Yes, it’s very important [having Varane available], but with Victor Lindelof, we have also won quite a few games and played well and had quite a few clean sheets.

“Right now we have top players for central defence and it will be not so easy for me to take that decision tomorrow.

“Also when Victor came on in the last 10-15 minutes, he played well, but as I said, it’s good to have Rapha fully fit again and it’s also good that we looked after him and he looked after himself, not playing too early again.

“So now he seems to be fit on a regular basis and can play for us regularly.”

In the Champions League last-16 first leg in the Spanish capital, Rangnick played all three of Varane, Maguire and Lindelof, with the Swedish national captain being preferred to both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot at right-back.

With Diego Simeone’s side likely to stick with a back three it cannot be ruled out that Rangnick will follow suit and play all three of his favoured centre-back options.

But if he does decide to stick with a back four, it would be a surprise if Rangnick dropped Maguire given it’s United’s biggest game of the season.

But the interim boss didn’t namedrop or praise the England international in the same manner he did Varane and Lindelof.

Judging by his comments in the press conference, Rangnick believes he can make a case to include all three of his senior centre backs in his starting line-up.