Manchester United are preparing for a crucial Premier League showdown on Saturday, with the English giants set to take on none other than Leicester City in the first game since the end of the recent international break.
Victory is a must for the Red Devils amid their heated battle with Arsenal and Tottenham for a top-four finish. Unfortunately, Ralf Rangnick's men have received a huge blow ahead of that tie as star striker Cristiano Ronaldo will miss this Old Trafford showdown, as per the Athletic.
The five-time Ballon d'Or endured an action-packed international break, playing in Portugal's two European World Cup playoffs. The 37-year-old guided his national team to a 3-1 victory over Turkey in the semifinals before helping the Euro 2016 winners overcome North Macedonia 2-0 in the final to book their ticket to Qatar 2022.
Ronaldo did not score in the final but he set up teammate Bruno Fernandes for one of the midfielder's two goals. As a result, Manchester United fans were left excited at the prospect of their two Portuguese superstars combining against Leicester at home.
Unfortunately, Ronaldo will not be available for the 20-time English champions, with illness ruling out the iconic attacker. Despite all the criticism Cristiano has faced this season, he remains the club's deadliest attacker and top scorer, netting a brilliant hat-trick in the Red Devils' most recent fixture, a 3-2 victory over Tottenham.
Manchester United currently sit in sixth but are only a point behind fifth-placed Spurs. However, Arsenal are four points ahead in fourth with a game in hand over Rangnick's men. As a result, the Red Devils cannot afford to drop points if they wish to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
