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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jake Polden

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Man Utd with bodyguards after his conduct shocks teammates

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Manchester United after jetting off to Portugal ahead of his side's 4-1 defeat by Man City.

The 37-year-old arrived at the Red Devils' Carrington training ground in a luxury Cadillac and was escorted by two bodyguards in a Range Rover, who followed close behind him.

Ronaldo was ruled out of Man United's must-win fixture at the Etihad due to problems with his hip flexor but decided to avoid the contest altogether and fly abroad.

His decision to leave the UK is said to have surprised some of his United teammates, who expected Ronaldo to make the short trip with them to the Etihad and offer pearls of wisdom in the dressing room.

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Manchester United (Eamonn and James Clarke)

Interim Man United boss Ralf Rangnick provided little detail on Ronaldo's condition ahead of Sunday's defeat.

"Cristiano had some problems with his hip flexor on Friday and since then, he didn't train," said the German before the match.

Former Man United captain and Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane suggested something was amiss following Rangnick's interview, saying something "didn't add up".

"The surprise is Ronaldo with the problem with his hip flexor, but United have a bit of pace they still have to come out and play with pride and quality," said the ex-Ireland international.

"Elanga is a good player, positive and is an intelligent player.

"There seems to be something more with the Ronaldo situation, the manager coming out talking about something about his hip flexor but the man is a machine and is rarely injured, but every now and again he comes out with that about his hip flexor, doesn't add up to me."

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The 37-year-old arrived at the Red Devils' Carrington training ground in a luxury Cadillac (ZENPIX LTD)

Rangnick indirectly responded to Keane after the Manchester derby, saying: "I have to believe our medical department.

"Our doctor came to me on Friday morning to say Cristiano couldn't train because of some problems with his hip flexor and the same on Saturday."

There has been no update on Ronaldo's fitness in the days since the derby defeat, and it is unclear how much training he will undertake at Carrington this Tuesday or whether he'll be available for the Tottenham game.

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