Rangnick: I cannot force a player to play News

Navigation: Home / News / Euro Soccer Update / Rangnick: I cannot force a player to play

Rangnick: I cannot force a player to play

By Daily Sports Nigeria on March 7, 2022

The Uruguay international was missing for the sixth successive game, with Rangnick voicing his frustrations pre-match after being informed by the player he did not feel he could play. In his absence United delivered a toothless attacking display, failing to register a single effort in the second half.

"What does it help if I tell you it's frustrating?" Rangnick added. "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."

Asked if Cavani decides when he plays, Rangnick continued: "Edi trained in the last three days, he trained well, but he still felt after those three training sessions that he is still not fit to play.

"This is a fact and as a manager, I cannot force a player to play if he doesn't feel fit or well enough to play."

Defeat - United's second under Rangnick and first away from home since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's final game as manager at Watford - saw City restore their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League, thanks to doubles from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez.

The chasm between the champions and their cross-city rivals stands at 22 points. The scale of task United have in bridging that gap was not lost on Rangnick, although he refused to be drawn on the precise areas where improvements are needed.

"The second half showed that if they [City] have momentum, and are 3-1 up, that it's almost impossible to keep them away from your own goal, at least for our team," he added.

"Look, I'm still the manager of this team for another 10 games in the Premier League and hopefully a few more games in the Champions League.

Source Sky Sports

Posted March 7, 2022