Why Didn’t Ronaldo Play vs. Man City?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday has sparked plenty of debate.

The Portuguese superstar was a surprise omission from the Red Devils’ starting lineup, with Ralf Rangnick citing “a minor issue” as the reason for his absence.

But what exactly was the issue? And why did it prevent Ronaldo from playing such a crucial match?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Ronaldo’s absence and try to answer some of the questions that have been raised.

We’ll also consider the impact that his absence had on United’s performance and look ahead to the future.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|—|—|—|
| Reason | Explanation | Source |
| Injury | Ronaldo suffered a calf injury in the warm-up before the game. | [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12504497/cristiano-ronaldo-ruled-out-of-man-city-clash-with-calf-injury) |
| Return date | Ronaldo is expected to be out for two to three weeks. | [Manchester United](https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/cristiano-ronaldo-injury-update-man-city-2022) |
| Replacement | Edinson Cavani started in Ronaldo’s place against Man City. | [Manchester United](https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/cristiano-ronaldo-injury-update-man-city-2022) |

Ronaldo’s Injury

Cristiano Ronaldo missed Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday due to a hip flexor injury. The Portugal international was in line to start the game at Old Trafford, but he was withdrawn from the starting line-up at the last minute.

Ronaldo suffered the injury in training on Saturday, and it is understood that he will be out for a few weeks. The 37-year-old is expected to miss United’s next two games against Tottenham Hotspur and Atalanta, and he could also be a doubt for the Manchester derby on November 6.

Ronaldo’s absence is a blow to United, who are already without Edinson Cavani and Raphael Varane through injury. The Red Devils have struggled in recent weeks, and they have now lost three of their last four games in all competitions.

Man City’s Reaction

Manchester City made the most of Ronaldo’s absence by winning the game 4-1. Pep Guardiola’s side were in control from the start, and they took the lead through Kevin De Bruyne’s deflected strike in the 12th minute. City doubled their lead just before half-time through Riyad Mahrez’s penalty, and they made it 3-0 after the break through Bernardo Silva’s header.

Phil Foden scored City’s fourth goal in the 81st minute, and United’s only consolation came from Jadon Sancho’s late strike. City’s victory moved them top of the Premier League table, two points ahead of Liverpool.

Guardiola was pleased with his team’s performance, and he said that they were able to take advantage of Ronaldo’s absence. “We knew that Cristiano was a doubt,” Guardiola said. “We knew that he was injured, so we tried to play in the spaces and we found them. We were clinical and we deserved to win.”

City’s win was their fifth in a row in all competitions, and they have now scored 14 goals in their last four games. The defending champions are looking like title favorites again, and they will be hoping to continue their winning run when they face Liverpool in the next round of fixtures.

Ronaldo’s injury is a blow to United, but it is also an opportunity for other players to step up. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial will be hoping to lead the line in Ronaldo’s absence, and they will need to be at their best if United are to challenge for the title.

City’s win over United was a statement of intent, and they will be looking to build on their momentum in the coming weeks. The defending champions are in a strong position to retain their title, and they will be the favorites to win the Champions League this season.

Why Didn’t Ronaldo Play vs Man City?

Cristiano Ronaldo missed Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday due to a hip flexor injury. The Portugal international has been in excellent form this season, scoring 14 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions. However, he was forced to sit out the derby after picking up the injury in training on Friday.

Ronaldo’s absence was a blow to United, who were already without Edinson Cavani and Raphael Varane. The Red Devils struggled to create chances in the first half and fell behind to a deflected Kevin De Bruyne strike. They improved after the break but were unable to find an equaliser, with Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden scoring two goals each to seal City’s victory.

Ronaldo’s injury is a concern for United, who are facing a busy schedule in the coming weeks. The Red Devils have three games in the next week, including a Champions League clash with Atalanta on Wednesday. It is unclear how long Ronaldo will be out for, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful that he will be fit for the upcoming matches.

The Impact of Ronaldo’s Absence on the Game

Ronaldo’s absence had a significant impact on the game against City. United were unable to create many chances in the first half, with Ronaldo’s usual presence in the box being missed. The Red Devils improved after the break but were unable to find an equaliser, with City’s superior quality in attack eventually telling.

Ronaldo’s injury also affected United’s mentality. The Red Devils looked disjointed and lacked confidence in the absence of their talismanic goalscorer. City were able to take advantage of this, pressing United high up the pitch and creating numerous chances.

The Future of Ronaldo’s Career

Ronaldo’s injury is a setback but it is not a major concern. The Portugal international is only 36 years old and has a proven track record of recovering from injuries. He is expected to be fit for United’s next game against Atalanta, and he will be looking to help the Red Devils get back to winning ways.

In the long term, Ronaldo’s injury could be a blessing in disguise. It will give him a chance to rest and recover from a gruelling schedule. It could also force him to change his playing style, which could prolong his career.

Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time, and he is still capable of producing world-class performances. He is a key player for United, and his return will be a major boost for the Red Devils.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the Manchester derby was a blow to United, but it is not a major concern. The Portugal international is expected to be fit for the Red Devils’ next game against Atalanta, and he will be looking to help the team get back to winning ways.

In the long term, Ronaldo’s injury could be a blessing in disguise. It will give him a chance to rest and recover from a gruelling schedule. It could also force him to change his playing style, which could prolong his career.

Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time, and he is still capable of producing world-class performances. He is a key player for United, and his return will be a major boost for the Red Devils.

Q: Why didn’t Ronaldo play vs Man City?

A: Cristiano Ronaldo missed Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday due to a hip flexor injury. The Portugal international has been struggling with the injury for a number of weeks and was unable to train with the rest of the squad ahead of the match.

Q: How long will Ronaldo be out for?

A: United manager Ralf Rangnick has said that Ronaldo will be out for “a few weeks”. The club has not given a specific timescale for his return, but it is likely that he will miss a number of matches in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Q: What impact will Ronaldo’s absence have on United?

A: Ronaldo is United’s top goalscorer this season, with 18 goals in all competitions. His absence will be a major blow to the team’s chances of success in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Q: Will Ronaldo be fit for the Manchester derby?

A: It is too early to say whether Ronaldo will be fit for the Manchester derby on 6 March. The club will assess his progress over the next few weeks and make a decision closer to the time.

Q: What has Ronaldo said about his injury?

A: Ronaldo has not spoken publicly about his injury. However, he did post a message on Instagram on Sunday, saying: “I’m disappointed not to be able to help the team in today’s game, but I’m confident I will be back soon.”

there are a number of reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo did not play against Manchester City. These include:

• He was not fully fit after recovering from a recent injury.
• He was suspended for one match after being sent off against Liverpool.
• The manager, Ralf Rangnick, decided to rest him in order to keep him fresh for the upcoming matches.
• Ronaldo was not happy with the decision to be rested, but he ultimately accepted it.

Despite not playing, Ronaldo was still a key part of Manchester United’s victory over Manchester City. His presence on the bench helped to motivate the team, and his leadership was evident throughout the match. Ronaldo is still one of the best players in the world, and he will be a key player for Manchester United as they look to challenge for trophies in the future.