Man United forward Edinson Cavani is facing a race against time to be ready for Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Brighton.
Cavani was to be in the team that faced Southampton on Saturday but failed late fitness tests.
He will also be assessed ahead of the midweek fixture at Old Trafford, and coach Ralf Rangnick is positive the striker can be available.
“I thought and was told after training yesterday that he would be available for today [Southampton] but, after training, the doctor came to see me and then I spoke to Edi and I told them let’s wait until this morning before the game and see if treatment can make things any better,” said Rangnick when asked about Cavani’s availability.
“But then I spoke to him today before we had breakfast and he said to me that the pain is too big and he cannot play.”
Rangnick further commented on Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent form, after he failed to score for the first time this year.
“He would have wished to score, I would have wished him to score, the whole team would have wished him to score,” Ralf said.
“I think today, he had his good chances. Probably one of the best chances in the game was when he rounded the goalkeeper. He also had good moments in the second half.
“Again it is not only Cristiano, as a team we create enough chances. I would be more worried if we only had one or two chances in a game.
“Our expected goal-ratio was 2.75 but we only scored one. If we are not able to keep a clean sheet when we are 1-0 or 2-0 up, then it is important to score a second or third goal.
“Right now this is one of our two major points criticism that we are just not effective enough if you compare the amount of chances we create and the amount of goals we are able to score.”
United dropped points yet again as they played out a 1-1 draw at home against Southampton.
