📣 Rangnick on Cavani injury, his long-term successor, CL ambitions | OneFootball

Manchester United interim coach Ralf Rangnick has addressed the media aead of his side’s visit to Atlético Madrid for Champions League action.

This is what he had to say.

On Edinson Cavani’s fitness

“Edi will not make the trip, he didn’t train and he has not been training for the last couple of weeks. He will not be part of the group.

“He has problems with his groin. As long as he doesn’t feel able to fully sprint it doesn’t make sense to push him.”

On next manager being a long-term one

“This is not something to be focused on for right now. This is a question for the summer. Our full focus is on the present situation, the present tense and the Champions League tomorrow and the Premier League in the last 12 games. All the other issues have to wait until the end of the season.”

On game preparation

“In the Champions League, you need to perform at the highest level in every area. We have made sure the players could recover in the last few days and maybe we will have some fresh legs on the pitch, we will see tomorrow.

“Mentally we need to prepare for a very emotional, if not hostile, atmosphere tomorrow. I don’t think the game or the fixture will be decided tomorrow, it will be decided in the second leg at Old Trafford.”

On final being moved from Russia

“It is still a long way to the final. If we are to have a chance we need to beat Atlético. What happens then, this is something for Uefa or politicians to decide upon. We all hope things will de-escalate. That’s more important than a Champions League game if we’re honest.”

On failure to reach CL semi since 2011

“I could recall other clubs in Europe where this should also be the case. Some of them play in the second division. In Germany, I could tell you three or four clubs where this is the case.”

On team spirit

“Well I think we also showed it in earlier games, in games before that [Leeds] but in the end as Bruno [Fernandes] said, it’s about getting the right result.

“The last two games we rewarded ourselves with three points in both games and this is important for the future, in the Champions League games but also in the Premier League.”