Some of Manchester United’s roster for their match against Atletico Madrid was revealed after the team left for the Spanish city on Tuesday afternoon.
United play the defending La Liga winners in the opening leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter on Wednesday night, with the competition being Ralf Rangnick’s only chance to win a title during his interim stay as manager.
Before departing Manchester, the interim manager declared that Edinson Cavani is once again unavailable for the match.
“No, Edi will be unable to make the trip,” he explained. “He didn’t train, and he hasn’t trained in a couple of weeks, so he won’t be in the group.”
“He has groin issues, and as long as he doesn’t feel ready to sprint fully, it doesn’t make sense to push him and force him back into training.” He’s gained enough experience to know when he’ll be totally available again.”
Photographers captured several of the squad members arriving at Manchester Airport ahead of the team’s trip on Tuesday afternoon.
A number of players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, and Harry Maguire, were spotted, but the remainder of the group was dropped off directly at the private terminal.
Hannibal Mejbri, a promising playmaker with a new hairstyle, has traveled to Spain with the senior squad.
United later posted a video of the players departing Manchester and arriving in Madrid, confirming the presence of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, David de Gea, and Eric Bailly.
This will be Bailly’s first appearance after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Luke Shaw, Jadon Sancho, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Scott McTominay have not been spotted but are expected to play.
United also switched their airline service from club sponsors Aeroflot to Titan Airways.
However, Aeroflot remains United’s ‘official carrier’.
Confirmed squad members to face Atletico Madrid: De Gea, Henderson, Maguire, Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Telles, Jones, Bailly, Fred, Mata, Hannibal, Matic, Pogba, Ronaldo, Lingard, Elanga, Rashford.
