I cannot force my players to play – Ralf Rangnick says over reports Cristiano Ronaldo feigned injury to miss out on Manchester derby defeat

Manchester United interim manager, Ralf Rangnick says it is impossible for him to force his players to play for the club.

The statement comes after star player, Cristiano Ronaldo missed Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City as result of Injury.

Ronaldo missed the game due to a flexor injury, while Edison Cavani is also injured.

However, Roy Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, questioned the injury to Ronaldo, suggesting the injury was faked: “We talk about Ronaldo being a machine and very rarely getting injured… it doesn’t add up to me.”

Rangnick has now come out to quash the claims following the 4-1 defeat to rivals, Manchester city.

“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’s why he couldn’t be part of the squad.

“It’s just a fact, if players tell the doctor and the medical department that they are injured and cannot play. I have to accept it as a manager.

“I cannot force a player to play if he thinks he’s not available because he has an injury.”