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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
David McDonnell

Man Utd dealt injury blow as Edinson Cavani ruled out of Atletico Madrid clash

Edinson Cavani is out of Manchester United's Champions League trip to face Atletico Madrid.

United interim boss Ralf Rangnick confirmed the Uruguay striker is still struggling with a groin problem and has been unable to train.

“No, Edi will not be able to make the trip,” said Rangnick. “He didn't train, he has not been training the last couple of weeks, so he won't be part of the group.

“He has problems with his groin and as long as he does not feel able to fully sprint, it doesn't make sense to train him and rush him back.”

Although Rangnick has admitted finishing fourth in the Premier League is United's priority, eh denied the Champions League is a distraction for him and his players.

Will Man Utd beat Atletico Madrid? Have your say in the comments section

Cavani is unavailable for the first leg (Getty Images)

Three of their top-four rivals – Tottenham, Arsenal and Wolves – are not in Europe so can fully focus on the race for fourth, but Rangnick said United want to progress in the Champions League.

“No, the Champions League can never be a distraction, that's why the teams are desperate to qualify for it,” said Rangnick.

“How can it be a distraction? This is why we're working for this club, we want to play Champions League and are playing against one of the best teams in Europe.

“If you win the Champions League you can qualify for it the following season, but in order to do that we have to play two top games against Atletico and at the end of those two games proceed to the next round.

“In order to do that we have to show we are up for that and beat Atletico Madrid and if we do that this will give us another boost, raise the players' confidence, and we will see what happens then.”

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