Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘confident’ he will be fit enough to feature in Saturday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa.
The 36-year-old missed Monday’s FA Cup win over the same opponents with what interim manager Ralf Rangnick described as a minor muscle injury.
In his absence, United laboured to a 1-0 win thanks to Scott McTominay’s eighth minute header, but were dominated for long spells and again had to rely on goalkeeper David de Gea, as well as a fortuitous VAR call, to book their place in the fourth round.
United were beaten by Villa, then managed by Dean Smith, at Old Trafford earlier this season and with Steven Gerrard’s side bolstered by Thursday’s signing of Lucas Digne from Everton, Rangnick will be hopeful United’s talisman will have recovered in time for the trip to the Midlands.
Asked if he would be available for selection, Ronaldo told Premier League productions: ‘I hope so. We will try on Thursday. I will try to train as normal. Let’s see how the body reacts. Fingers crossed. I’m confident.’
More to follow…
