Cristiano Ronaldo a Manchester United no-show as Ralf Rangnick pleas for transfer strategy change

Here are your Manchester United morning headlines for Sunday, March 6.

Cristiano Ronaldo was not with the Manchester United squad that assembled ahead of the derby at City on Sunday.

United manager Ralf Rangnick assembled the usual 21-man squad at The Lowry Hotel but Ronaldo was not present with his teammates.

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Edinson Cavani was also absent despite Rangnick indicating he would be available for the game at the Etihad. Cavani has missed the last five games with a groin problem.

Read more from our chief Manchester United writer here.

Ralf Rangnick has told Manchester United they must improve their record in the transfer market if they are to close the gap on Manchester City.

United have spent more than £1billion since Sir Alex Ferguson retired nine years ago and, while they are still capable of matching City on the day, they are about to spend a ninth successive season marooned below the club Ferguson once branded the "noisy neighbours".

Rangnick believes much of that is down to the lack of continuity and planning at Old Trafford, despite being able to rouse themselves to claim significant results in one-off games.

United will be looking for a fourth successive victory at the Etihad this weekend and have beaten Pep Guardiola's side six times since the Catalan arrived — a record matched only by Tottenham.