MANCHESTER UNITED players wanted Cristiano Ronaldo to be at the Etihad for Sunday's Manchester derby, according to reports.
Cristiano Ronaldo was not in England for Manchester United's visit to Manchester City on Sunday - a decision that reportedly took his teammates by surprise. Ronaldo missed the match at the Etihad due to a problem with his hip flexor. And now it has come to light that he was abroad till the start of the match.
United suffered another dent in their hopes of a place in the top four of the Premier League this season.
Ralph Rangnick's side were beaten 4–1 by neighboring City.
Two goals each from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez were enough for the Red Devils to see off.
It emerged on Saturday evening that Ronaldo was set to miss the match.
Rangnik confirmed that he is battling the same injury that has caused him to miss previous matches this season.
But The Athletic now claim Ronaldo left for his home country, Portugal, after it was revealed he would not be fit for the match.
The rest of United's squad were shocked by the decision as they wanted him to stay at the Etihad, even if he was not fit to play.
The players believed that Ronaldo's presence in the derby could have been beneficial to his performance.
Injured United players are not obliged to attend matches, but Ronaldo has had a major impact on the dressing room since returning last summer and it is claimed his aura may have made a difference.
United legend Roy Keane suggested before kick-off that there was more to Ronaldo's absence than meets the eye.
Discussing team news, Keane said: "I think that's the surprise with Ronaldo. I'm not sure when they'll come and say it's hip flexor."
Asked if he thinks there's more to it, Keane said: "It seems. I don't like it when a manager talks about this hip flexor. I don't get it.
"We talk that Ronaldo almost lacks the machine, he rarely gets injured, but he comes up with it again and again. Hip flexor, it doesn't matter to me."
Rangnik, however, said that there is no doubt that Ronaldo was not fit for the match.
Speaking at the press conference after his game, Rangnik said: "I have to believe in our medical department.
"Our doctors came to me on Friday morning to say that Cristiano could not train due to some problems with his hip flexor and also on Saturday."