Cristiano Ronaldo has posted on social media after missing Manchester United 's draw with Leicester City on Saturday.
The forward was a late withdrawal after suffering through illness which meant interim boss Ralf Rangnick had to rejig his team selection at the last minute. United ended up playing without a recognised striker as they were forced to come from behind at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo is likely to return for the game against Everton next weekend, and appeared to be okay as he uploaded a picture of himself and his family to Instagram. He snapped himself, his partner and their children at a park and included the caption: "Family is everything."
Rangnick said before the Leicester stalemate: "Unfortunately, he had some 'flu-like symptoms, which he showed yesterday. Obviously, he should and would have played in the starting XI but he didn't feel well and couldn't train. Then the doctor went to see him at his house this morning to check again but he didn't feel any better and that's why, unfortunately, that's why he hasn't been able to play."
Ronaldo has been United's main supply of goals this term - notching a hat-trick in his last Premier League outing against Tottenham. He is the only Red Devils player to hit double figures this term as his teammates struggle to match his numbers.
Rangnick played with Bruno Fernandes as a false 9 against the Foxes as his system and personnel choices copped criticism. The German chose to leave Marcus Rashford on the bench despite him being the only recognised striker who was available. The 24-year-old is desperately out of form, but the decision to omit him raised serious questions.
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Gary Neville said on Sky Sports : “I was struggling a little bit with it before the game without the centre forward. That’s killed Marcus Rashford today, not playing in that team. I know he’s been poor, I know he’s lacked confidence but for Cristiano Ronaldo to pull out this morning.
"And for Paul Pogba to go in and change the system of play and the way in which the game has been approached and not just put Marcus Rashford in as a striker as a straight swap having trained with the players the last 10 days - overall, there’s too many things at this club that are uncertain."
Rangnick shed light on his decision after the match, stating: “The question was whether to start with Marcus or with Bruno as false nine plus Paul Pogba in midfield. We still needed a goal after 60 minutes, we decided to go for a central striker. It’s obvious that Marcus is not full of confidence and it’s a difficult time for him.”
