refused to entertain questions on Erik ten Hag’s looming appointment as boss and insists his only focus is on beating – though he has something of an injury crisis to contend with.
The Red Devils lost pace in the top-four race last time out, only drawing at home to , and now three of their starters that day – Raphael Varane, Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw – are sidelined for Saturday’s match.
Rangnick will have to shuffle his pack for the lunchtime trip to Goodison Park, but he did receive some good news with Cristiano Ronaldo returning to training and in line to start against Everton after missing the draw with Leicester.
‘Cristiano is back again,’ confirmed Rangnick at his pre-match press conference on Friday. ‘Luke is still injured, we had to take him off at half-time and he’s having problems with his leg where he had the operation I think back in 2015.
‘The doctor told me that they decided to remove the metal things in his leg, there are two bolts that need to be removed, and this will happen tomorrow [Saturday] and that means he will be out for the next two or three weeks.
‘Edinson Cavani is still injured, Raphael Varane is still injured – he will be missing out again tomorrow.
‘The same is true with Scott McTominay I’m afraid, so he is also out. He’s having problems with his foot, with the sole of his foot. So those four players will be missing.’
Widespread reports emerged this week claiming Ten Hag had won the race to succeed Rangnick in the Old Trafford hotseat, with an official announcement potentially coming this month, but the current incumbent was reluctant to engage in questions about the Dutchman.
Asked about the Ajax boss and his own involvement in the recruitment process, Rangnick replied: ‘Well I think this is the press conference for tomorrow’s game and I don’t intend to speak about any possible new managers here.
‘From what I know, all the managers with whom the club have so far spoken are top managers, top coaches. If this includes Erik ten Hag then it’s also true with him. So that’s all I can say at this stage, for me it’s about preparing the team for tomorrow’s game and hopefully three points tomorrow.
‘I know with which coaches they have spoken so far, that’s why I can say all the coaches they have spoken to so far are top coaches. But again my focus is on tomorrow and the game tomorrow and then the upcoming games after tomorrow’s game.’
On his own future at the club once his managerial stint is over, he added: ‘Well as you know we have agreed upon a contract as an adviser and we will speak about that in the next couple of weeks, I’m pretty sure – or at the latest at the end of the season. But again, right now my full focus is on tomorrow.’
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