Why Ronaldo missed Manchester United vs Aston Villa revealed

Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to a missed chance during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 3, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Manchester United scored more than one goal in a game under the management of Ralf Rangnick for the second time but it was not enough for them to get all three points. The Red Devils were leading 2-0 but Aston Villa came up with two late goals, from Jacob Ramsey and Philippe Coutinho, and ultimately, the game ended in a 2-2 draw, with the points being shared between the two sides.

This does not help Manchester United’s cause at all as they look to go on a good run of form and break into the Premier League top four.

One player that was missing for Manchester United on this occasion was Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese legend could have certainly made a difference. His penchant for cropping up with a late winner is not a secret.

But it looks like Ronaldo is struggling with an injury at the moment. As reported by Sky Sports (via GOAL), Ralf Rangnick said regarding the situation:

"“Yesterday before training he still had problems with his hip flexor and we then decided not to train him. Then after training I had another conversation with him and we then decided that it doesn’t make sense, if he is still having problems with his hip flexor, to take him on the journey here and then hopefully he can play on Wednesday.”"

Why Ronaldo missed Manchester United vs Aston Villa game revealed

Interestingly, one could argue that Manchester United looked better going forward on this occasion than they have in recent times when Ronaldo has been in the team.

Also, Bruno Fernandes scored a brace on this occasion as well. The Portuguese playmaker has struggled to make an impact for Manchester United this season despite arguably having been their best player for the past season-and-a-half before this.

But then, one cannot argue with the fact that Ronaldo has been Manchester United’s most prolific goalscorer in a season when they have struggled to find the back of the net and the biggest reason behind them making the knockout phase of the Champions League.

Thus, one would expect him to walk right back into the starting XI whenever he is back to full fitness. It remains to be seen when that turns out to be.

Must Read. Manchester United vs Aston Villa: 3 things we learned from 2-2 draw. light

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