Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Manchester United training ahead of this weekend's clash with Tottenham.
The 37-year-old was a surprise absentee from United's 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon with Ralf Rangnick saying he had problems with his hip.
"Cristiano had some problems with his hip flexor on Friday," Rangnick said on Ronaldo before Sunday's Manchester Derby defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
Former Man United captain Roy Keane questioned the injury, though, saying it did not add up, when talking in the Sky Sports studio at the Etihad.
"We talk about Ronaldo being a machine and very rarely getting injured… it doesn't add up to me," Keane said.
Rangnick responded to those comments from the outspoken pundit and said: "I have to believe my medical department.
"My doctor came to see me on Friday morning before training and told me Cristiano Ronaldo cannot train because of some problems with his hip flexor and the same was true on Saturday and that is why he could not be part of the squad."
Either way, Ronaldo's car was spotted pulling up to United's Carrington training base on Tuesday with the Portuguese icon handing Rangnick a timely boost ahead of Saturday evening's showdown with Tottenham at Old Trafford.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Ronaldo flew to Lisbon on Sunday and returned late on Monday evening as he looks to recover from his hip problem.
Saturday represents a crucial match for Tottenham in the Premier League. If Spurs can pick up three points in Manchester, then they will climb above United in the table as Antonio Conte looks to secure a top four spot in his first campaign in charge in north London.
However, Conte knows just how much of a challenge the match at Old Trafford could be for his side.
He said following the 5-0 win against Everton on Monday: "Tonight was good for many aspects but I think also in the other games we played a good game.
"At the same time, I want to tell you what I said to my players: 'Okay, this is the past and enjoy the game tonight but from tomorrow, you have to think about Saturday's game against United'.
"They are a really strong team, a team that in my opinion, a squad that is ready to fight for the Premier League and every competition that they play in.
"It will be a real challenge for us and I want to see the answer, the answer about my players and also myself.
"Now we have 12 games to play until the end of the season. I listen and you ask me in every press conference about the top four race.
"I said to my players that it's right to take responsibility about this because I think that from when I arrived to now we are stronger.
"In January two players made us more complete. I think that we can fight. We can fight for this target. It's important to have this ambition and it's not right to hide our ambition and ok we'll see what happens."
