‘Better off’ – Neville makes Ronaldo claim ahead of Manchester derby

Gary Neville believes Manchester United will be “better off” without Cristiano Ronaldo in Sunday’s derby at Manchester City.

Ronaldo, who is United’s top scorer this season with 15 goals in 30 appearances this season, is out through injury, according to The Athletic.

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The report also claims Edinson Cavani is not part of the squad for the clash at the Etihad Stadium, leaving Marcus Rashford as the only recognised striker.

However, United legend Neville believes his former club will profit from the absence of Ronaldo.

He insists that their likely counter-attacking style in Sunday’s fixture will thrive more with Rashford leading the line, as opposed to Ronaldo.

“United over the last three or four years have been a counter-attacking team,” Neville told Sky Sports (via the Manchester Evening News).

“That will be exactly the same today I think, with Ronaldo out of the team I think they might be better off with Rashford’s pace on the counter-attack today. Rashford’s got to get himself back on track, for the last year, year and a half, he’s not been playing well.

“They shift him to the left, to the right, down the middle, I don’t think he’s settled and grabbed a position, people refer to the off the field stuff whether it’s a distraction or not and he’s had injuries as well to be fair, his authority off the pitch doesn’t transfer onto the pitch for Manchester United.

“He’s done well here in the past [playing at the Etihad], so it’s a big opportunity for him to show his quality again today if he plays.”

However, Neville and Ronaldo’s former team-mate Roy Keane disagreed with his Sky Sports colleague, saying that it’s a ‘dangerous conversation’ to have surrounding