The absence of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo from the derby match between Manchester City and its guest, Manchester United, was a big surprise for fans of the Red Devils.

Ronaldo was left out of the list of 21 players from Manchester United to participate in the City match, along with defenders Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw, and striker Edinson Cavani.

With the news leaking hours before the start of the match, rumors circulated about a dispute between Ronaldo and German coach Ralph Rangnick, which caused the decision to exclude the Portuguese from the match.

According to those reports, Rangnick told Ronaldo that he would not be part of the starting line-up and would start the match from the bench due to tactical options, but the former Real Madrid player refused.

Before the start of the match, the German coach tried to end the controversy early by providing another justification for Ronaldo's absence, and said in television statements that the player had been suffering from a pelvic injury since last Friday and had not fully recovered, and therefore he is not ready to play the match.

Rangnick explained that Varane and Luke Shaw are absent due to infection with the Corona virus, while striker Cavani suffers from an injury that prevents him from being with the team.

Ronaldo scored 15 goals in 31 games in all competitions with Manchester United this season.