Ronaldo Returns To Man Utd Training With Bodyguards, His Future In Doubt After Man City Derby

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Carrington training ground Tuesday after missing the Manchester Derby and spending two days in Portugal. He was photographed arriving with his security team.

Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, Edinson Cavani and Luke Shaw were ruled out of Sunday's Manchester derby, in which the team lost 4-1 defeat to Man City. The 37-year-old footballer was understood to have flown out to Portugal after being dropped for the clash with their rivals. Interim manager Ralf Rangnick confirmed that he was missing the match due to a problem with his hip flexor "Cristiano had some problems with his hip flexor on Friday and since then didn't play."

Ronaldo has come back to Man Utd's Carrington training field to prepare for their upcoming game against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The team's recent results left them in fifth place in the Premier League. Ronaldo's future in the club is a question mark after missing Sunday's game. Club legend Roy Keane questioned the injury claims before kick-off, "I don't like it when the manager talks about this 'hip flexor' - I don't get it. We talk about Ronaldo being a machine, very rarely injured then every now and again he comes out with 'hip flexor'. It doesn't add up to me."

Rangnick has previously explained that all the players do their rehabilitation in Manchester rather than abroad if they are injured. Ronaldo's teammates were left shocked when he did not appear for Saturday's club meal. The Portugal legend has scored 15 times in 30 games for Man Utd so far this season. However, he just had one goal in his last 10 matches in all competitions, which has led to speculations about his role in the club.

However, Ronaldo is not the only one whose presence in the club is doubtful. Marcus Rashford was also being left out of the starting XI at the Etihad. Rashford has started just two of the club's last 11 Premier League games — and only one of those absences was due to injury. The Manchester-born star had previously never even considered leaving Old Trafford, having come through the club's academy. However, he appeared to be very upset about his current situation. Rashford's contract will expire in June 2023.