By Sam Preston

Rangnick speaks about Ronaldo and Cavani's fitness ahead of West Ham clash

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Ralf Rangnick’s starting eleven for Manchester United’s clash with West Ham today.

Ronaldo suffered a neck injury in the week which required treatment but Rangnick has selected him from the start against the Hammers.

Speaking to MUTV before the game, Rangnick offered a quick update on Ronaldo’s fitness and another striker with fitness issues in Edinson Cavani.

Cavani has been named among the substitutes, having been excluded from United’s matchday squad on Wednesday night at Brentford.

Harry Maguire is back in the backline and captaining the side, and that is the only change to Wednesday’s starting XI, as he replaces Victor Lindelof who is with his family after a break-in at their house during the Brentford game.

“Yes, he was training yesterday and the same with Edi [Cavani] and good to have them both back in the squad.”

On Maguire, Rangnick added: “It is always good to have the captain back and even more because Victor is not available unfortunately.”

United’s attacking options look healthy for this game, with Cavani in reserve again, and Marcus Rashford also on the bench having scored for the first time since October on Wednesday night.

Jesse Lingard scored the winner against the Hammers in September and is fit enough to be on the bench for this clash with the club he spent the second half of last season on loan with.

Jadon Sancho is still absent, having attended a family funeral on the day of the Brentford game, despite having returned to training yesterday.

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Sam Preston

Sam Preston is an NCTJ gold standard news and sports journalist who studied with the Press Association. He also has a 2:1 law with French law degree from the University of Birmingham, which included a year studying at Bordeaux Montaigne University. He is an FA Level 1 football coach who appeared on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show in 2018 and has also written digital football content and match-day programme pieces for Colchester United, Mansfield Town and Stockport County.