Ralf Rangnick spoke to the media ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League match against Chelsea on Thursday.
The German provided a squad news update, revealing that Fred will not be able to play since he is still not totally recovered from his hip flexor condition.
Two more Reds, Harry Maguire, and Jadon Sancho have been added to the list of absentees, which also includes Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba, and Luke Shaw.
“Unfortunately, Fred is not yet available,” Ralf said at his pre-match press conference.
“He tried to train yesterday, but after training, I had a long conversation with him and he just told me that he doesn’t feel fully fit, he’s not at 100 percent, and with a player like Fred who’s always committed to giving his very best, I don’t think it makes sense, with the muscular injury that he had, to play him too soon, because that would mean we risk re-injury, and this is something that I don’t want to do.” As a result, he will be unavailable tomorrow.
“Aside from that, we have Harry Maguire, who is unavailable.” He has minor knee difficulties, nothing major – just a niggle in his knee. He hasn’t trained since yesterday or today.
“Obviously, Paul, Fred, Edinson, Luke Shaw, and Jadon – Jadon is ill, he has had tonsillitis since yesterday, couldn’t train today, and won’t be available tomorrow.”
Rangnick hopes to get Cavani back in training the day after the game against Thomas Tuchel’s side, with the goal of having him available for the season’s last three games.
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“Well, according to the team doctor, he should be back in training on Friday, so the day after the Chelsea game, and then we’ll see,” Ralf remarked.
“He’s been out for a while, but our team doctor says he should be back in training on Friday.”
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also questionable due to an unspecified issue.
Rangnick stated that, given a large number of absences, he may consider deploying players from the youth squad in the remaining games, but only if the timing is appropriate.
“Well, it’s conceivable. We’ll have to wait and see if Aaron Wan-Bissaka, for example, can play tomorrow since we’ll have several players missing and one or two question marks.
“I played Hannibal at Liverpool, so it’s possible [I’ll play youngsters], but we have to be fair to those guys as well.”
“It needs to be the proper time; they should have an opportunity to play well and perform well, so it’s not just forcing them to play.” I believe it is also the perfect time.”
