Rangnick provides Manchester United fitness update before Brighton clash

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Ralf Rangnick has conducted his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester United’s away clash with Brighton.

The briefing was streamed live on United’s official website at 1pm and Rangnick was asked about the fitness of his squad.

Harry Maguire was pictured back in training earlier this week and Rangnick confirmed that the club captain will be fit to be part of the squad against the Seagulls.

Edinson Cavani has not been spotted in training since the Brentford game where he came on as a substitute but Rangnick says he is working at Carrington and suggested he is in contention for the game.

Rangnick press conference comments

“Harry is back in training. He trained the whole week, since the day after or the second day after the Brentford game, he resumed for training. So, he will be available for tomorrow and be part of the group,” said Rangnick.

When asked if Maguire would start, Rangnick said: “This is a decision I have to take after training today and obviously I don’t want to tell our opponents with which lineup we still start but he will definitely be part of the group.”

“Edinson [Cavani] is in training, obviously he came on as a sub,” he added.

“Marcus Rashford will be missing, he has caught bronchitis with high temperatures so he won’t be able to be part of the group.

“We have a question mark behind Eric Bailly, he called the doctor this morning and had some back problems – problems with his back – and he’s being checked right now. We’ll have to see if he will be able to train afterwards.”

It would not make too much sense to rush Maguire back if he is not fully fit with United having little to play for against Brighton.

Maguire has rushed back from injuries before, including at Euro 2020, and that cannot be good for his fitness or form.

Cavani could well play at Brighton despite not training, although many United fans would likely want to see younger players given a chance over ones who are leaving in the summer.

Cavani has said he would have quit United if he’d known Cristiano Ronaldo was going to sign and that attitude has been pretty evident throughout his second season at Old Trafford.