Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick provides injury update on Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay for Tottenham Hotspur clash

As quoted by the club’s official website, Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick provided an injury update in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Tottenham Hotspur clash on Saturday in the Premier League.

United will be playing Spurs for the second time in the league, having won the previous fixture 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last year. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge then, before the club sacked him a few weeks later after a string of poor results.

After missing a few stars last weekend for the Manchester derby, Rangnick confirmed that Luke Shaw would continue to miss a second successive league game while Scott McTominay was doubtful due to a calf issue.

“With regard to players, we will still miss out Luke Shaw. He’s, until yesterday, being tested positive with Covid, and Scotty is a question mark, he had some problems with his calf so we have to wait and see until after training today.” 

United’s previous PL game saw them go down 4-1 to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani missing due to injury. Shaw and Raphael Varane were the key defenders who were ruled out of the game, as four goals were shipped in by the rearguard.

“Both available for the game”

The clash against Spurs is crucial for both teams, with the two teams competing for the fourth spot in the league table in order to play Champions League football next season. While United are in fifth place, the Lilywhites sit in seventh place.

Rangnick provided positive news on his attackers, with Ronaldo and Cavani available for the game. Both the forwards scored against Tottenham last time around, so their return from injury augurs well for us.

“Cristiano resumed training yesterday. He trained for the whole session and I expect him to be training today as well. He trained well, like the rest of the group, so I would have thought that he’s available for tomorrow. What’s important is that he and Edi are both back in training and are both available for the game.”

The Red Devils have been poor in front of goal this season, even with Ronaldo and Cavani in the team. While the former has been out of form this year, the latter has barely featured for the side due to injury issues.

Hopefully, their return from recent injury worries sees them take to the field refreshed. Only time will tell if both attackers make the starting XI at Old Trafford this weekend, and our forward line finds their scoring boots again.

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However, the news about Shaw will come as a blow to our defence, which has looked shaky all campaign long. The Englishman has been first-choice under Rangnick, so the manager will need to continue with Alex Telles at left-back.

McTominay will also be a big miss if he is unable to make the squad against Spurs, with the Scot being one of the better players in the team this term. In his absence, Nemanja Matic could take to the field in the defensive midfield role.