Ralf Rangnick explains why he dropped Cristiano Ronaldo from Man Utd starting XI

Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of the Manchester United squad to face Aston Villa in the FA Cup due to a minor injury, Ralf Rangnick has confirmed.

The superstar striker, 36, has played 90 minutes in all five of United's Premier League fixtures since Rangnick took charge of his first game as interim manager, scoring two goals in that time.

Ronaldo's previous rest came in December's Champions League clash against Young Boys, when the German coach made wholesale changes for the group-stage dead rubber.

But he was nowhere to be seen as the team news was released for Monday night's third-round encounter with Steven Gerrard's Villa.

Speaking ahead of kick-off, Rangnick admitted Ronaldo is one of many United players suffering with "muscular problems", along with Phil Jones and Jadon Sancho.

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"I wouldn't say they are injured but they are having muscular problems," Rangnick told MUTV of his missing stars.

"I spoke with Cristiano yesterday before training, he told me that he had some problems for the last couple of days, some minor problems. In the end we decided to not take any risks in a cup game that could easily last 120 minutes.

"With Phil Jones he is having some minor problems on the calf. "With Jadon, he was supposed to be in the squad. He had some issues with hamstrings on both sides."

Ronaldo is the Red Devils' top scorer this season with 14 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions and his minor issue is believed to relate to his hip.

In the absence of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Rangnick deployed Marcus Rashford alongside Edinson Cavani up front.

The strike partnership was supported by Mason Greenwood and Bruno Fernandes, with the latter wearing the armband in the absence of club captain Harry Maguire, who is recovering from a chest injury.

Rangnick named a central midfield pairing of Scott McTominay and Fred and a back four of Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw ahead of David de Gea in goal.

Back-up shot-stopper Tom Heaton was handed a spot on the bench and the Manchester Evening News claim Dean Henderson was not in the squad as he continues to push for a loan exit in the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, Villa manager Gerrard also chose a strong starting XI for the trip to Old Trafford with an attack including Danny Ings, Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Buendia.

Manchester UnitedXI : De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes; Rashford, Cavani.

Aston Villa XI : Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey; Buendia, Ings, Watkins.