Ralf Rangnick discusses Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness & Manchester United’s lack of centre-forward options

Ralf Rangnick admitted Manchester United are short of options up front, with Cristiano Ronaldo struggling for form in recent weeks.

The Red Devils striker put in another average display at Old Trafford on Saturday during the 0-0 draw with Watford, where the hosts didn’t manage to convert despite producing 22 shots on the opposition goal.

Ronaldo missed several chances during the game and since the turn of the year he has scored just once from 10 outings.

The attacker also cut a frustrated figure after the game, much as he did last week during the 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid.

With Edinson Cavani injured at present and Anthony Martial on loan at Sevilla, Ronaldo is United’s only option up front, something Rangnick was asked about the Watford stalemate.

“Edinson is not available and we don’t have that many other central strikers,” the German told reporters. “I brought on in the last 15 or 20 minutes, Marcus [Rashford] plus Jadon [Sancho]. So almost all of the offensive players we have in our squad were on the pitch.

“Yes, but as I said, we have to play with those players we have available,” he added. “I spoke with him [Ronaldo] yesterday before the training session and he told me that he was fully fit to play and that’s why I had him in the starting XI.”

At 37, there’s also a concern whether Ronaldo is able to play all of United’s games. The forward has started all of the last six games and has appeared leggy in the final stages.

But thankfully for Ronaldo and United they have a week off before their next game, when Rangnick’s men take on Manchester City at the Etihad.

The Sky Blues earned a dramatic 1-0 win against Everton on Saturday thanks to Phil Foden’s late strike, although City were lucky not to have a penalty given against them during the closing stages.