Manchester United explain why players were absent vs Crystal Palace

Ralf Rangnick insists the absence of a number of Manchester United players against Crystal Palace was not related to their futures.

Nemanja Matic and Jesse Lingard, both out of contract next month, were not at Palace and nor was the injured Cristiano Ronaldo. Aaron Wan-Bissaka also did not travel in the week it was confirmed he was not in new manager Erik ten Hag's plans.

Marcus Rashford arrived at Selhurst Park but was omitted from the matchday squad due to injury. Dean Henderson was also present but not on the bench amid developments over a potential move to Newcastle. Henderson was fit enough to participate in the warm-up.

Read more: Ten Hag gives little away watching Manchester United lose

"No, all of the players that were not available today were not available because they were either ill or injured," Rangnick said. "None of our players that were not available today were told by me or by someone else that they should go on holiday or leave the team early. All of them not available were not available because of injuries."

Rangnick confirmed on Friday Jadon Sancho withdrew from a training session because of injury and that Luke Shaw was unlikely to be available following the birth of his second child. Neither travelled to Palace.

In his final press conference as United manager, Rangnick reiterated the recruitment criteria for the squad rebuild ahead of next season had to place an emphasis on the collective. Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata played for United for the last time against Palace and Paul Pogba is also about to leave.

"For me, it's about why do players move to a certain club and, for me, apart from quality, talent, physicality, mentality you need for this league, the most important thing is we find players for