Cristiano Ronaldo was not with the Manchester United squad on Friday night as they met at the Lowry Hotel ahead of the weekend game against Leicester City.
United are back in Premier League action after the international break and host Brendan Rodgers' Foxes as they look to make the most of their final nine games of the season. A top-four place looks unlikely, with Arsenal still in pole position.
Ronaldo played 180 minutes across two World Cup qualifiers as Portugal secured their spot in Qatar, but was not among the United players gathering with Ralf Rangnick's 21-man squad. His girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez is pregnant, which may be the reason for his absence.
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Captain Harry Maguire was present, looking to bounce back from being booed by England fans during the week. Rangnick earlier on Friday backed his skipper, telling reporters: "He's been a very valuable player for the team and the club, the captain. I didn't understand what happened at Wembley, it won't happen in our stadium with the Red Army."
Also in the squad was Bruno Fernandes, fresh from having put pen to paper on a new deal with the Reds. The Portuguese star, who scored twice against North Macedonia on Tuesday to secure his side's place in this year's World Cup, extends his stay at Old Trafford to 2026, with the option of a further year.
“There is so much more that I want to achieve here, and I know that is the same for the rest of the squad and staff," Fernandes said on signing his new deal. "More than anything, we want to give the fans the success that they deserve. We have shared some great moments over the last years, but the best is yet to come from myself and this team.”
Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba both make the squad after both suffering slight injury scares while away on international duty with France, although they were able to feature in both wins over Ivory Coast and South Africa. Edinson Cavani though is once again missing after picking up a knock while away with Uruguay.
The 35-year-old could be set for a long lay-off according to Rangnick, which leaves the German with a decision to make as to who leads his attack. Marcus Rashford could be one of his options, with the England international among those making their way to the Lowry as he looks to rediscover some form.
Confirmed squad members: De Gea, Henderson, Grant, Wan-Bissaka, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof, Jones, Shaw, Telles, McTominay, Fred, Matic, Pogba, Fernandes, Mata, Lingard, Sancho, Rashford, Elanga.
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