Ralf Rangnick reveals four Manchester United stars are injured as he dodges Erik ten Hag question

Ralf Rangnick refused to entertain questions on Erik ten Hag’s looming appointment as Manchester United boss and insists his only focus is on beating Everton – though he has something of an injury crisis to contend with.

The Red Devils lost pace in the top-four race last time out, only drawing at home to Leicester City, and now three of their starters that day – Raphael Varane, Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw – are sidelined for Saturday’s match.

Rangnick will have to shuffle his pack for the lunchtime trip to Goodison Park, but he did receive some good news with Cristiano Ronaldo returning to training and in line to start against Everton after missing the draw with Leicester.

‘Cristiano is back again,’ confirmed Rangnick at his pre-match press conference on Friday. ‘Luke is still injured, we had to take him off at half-time and he’s having problems with his leg where he had the operation I think back in 2015.

‘The doctor told me that they decided to remove the metal things in his leg, there are two bolts that need to be removed, and this will happen tomorrow [Saturday] and that means he will be out for the next two or three weeks.

‘Edinson Cavani is still injured, Raphael Varane is still injured – he will be missing out again tomorrow.

‘The same is true with Scott McTominay I’m afraid, so he is also out. He’s having problems with his foot, with the sole of his foot. So those four players will be missing.’

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Widespread reports emerged this week claiming Ten Hag had won the race to succeed Rangnick in the Old