Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from the Manchester United squad that assembled on Saturday evening ahead of their game against Manchester City on Sunday, Metro reports.
And this development has posed a huge question mark over the striker’s participation in the Manchester derby.
As is customary, Manchester United 21-man squad reported to The Lowry Hotel on the eve of the match, but the Portuguese and several other notable players were absent from the group that arrived.
The former Real Madrid and Juventus star has been heavily criticised for his performances in recent weeks.
Ronaldo has scored just one goal in his last eight league games for United, and there had been suggestions the superstar might be dropped for the trip to the Etihad.
However, the 37-year-old is not expected to be totally absent from the squad, with Edinson Cavani not also seen at The Lowry either, despite Ralf Rangnick confirming on Friday that the Uruguayan would make the squad for the Derby clash.
Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw were also missing on Saturday night.
Although the club has given players permission to join up with the squad at different times, the fact that 21 players reported for duty would suggest that the four players mentioned will not take part in the game against City.
Confirmed squad members:
David de Gea, Dean Henderson, Tom Heaton, Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, Fred, Paul Pogba, Hannibal Mejbri, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga, Marcus Rashford.
