Key duo absent from Manchester United contingent ahead of Aston Villa tie

Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo absent from the Manchester United contingent that reached the hotel ahead of Aston Villa game

According to The Sun, Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo were absent from the Manchester United contingent that arrived at the Hyatt Hotel ahead of facing Aston Villa in the FA Cup. 

The Red Devils are set to take on the Steven Gerrard-led side tonight. Man United failed to progress past the quarter-final stage of the competition last time around but would be hoping to go all the way this season. Defeating Villa at Old Trafford will be the first step in doing so.

Ahead of the game, Ralf Rangnick and co arrived at the Hyatt Hotel in the afternoon. But Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire were missing from this contingent. However, there is no cause for concern as neither is understood to have any injuries.

They are likely to make it to the hotel soon. The arrival of both players shall be key, especially if we hope to not get knocked out in the opening round of the oldest competition in England. 

Worrying news

There might be no cause for concern at the moment but it would be alarming if either player does not show up. The club captain recently claimed that the team needs to start winning and playing well, and fans would be expecting him to lead the side from the front.

Although the Englishman provided words of a warrior, there was a cause of concern on the part of Ronaldo. A source recently claimed Jorge Mendes arrived in Manchester to hold talks with his client amidst the current situation of the club. Thus, few supporters would have liked the result of that conversation.

The Portuguese ace is expected to keep us fighting on all fronts rather than thinking about an early exit from the club. Maguire, too, needs to pull up his socks and help the team in keeping some much-needed clean sheets. 

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Both players cut a frustrated figure against Wolves a week ago and will have to provide a telling response in the Cup competition. Man United had an early exit in the Carabao Cup, and fans would be hoping the same is not repeated in the FA Cup.