Rangnick keeping focus as player unrest talk continues

Ralf Rangnick is not wasting energy worrying about Cristiano Ronaldo's travel itinerary or Marcus Rashford's long-term future as the interim manager focuses on Manchester United's must-win clash against Tottenham.

Saturday kicks off a make-or-break Old Trafford doubleheader as top-four rivals Spurs come to town before the Red Devils host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Rangnick's immediate focus is on a Premier League match that he admits fifth-placed United "have to win" given Arsenal in fourth are not just a point better off but also boast three games in hand.

Last weekend's 4-1 humbling at rivals Manchester City was the worst possible preparation for the Spurs clash, but they will be boosted by Ronaldo's return after he missed the Etihad Stadium encounter with a hip flexor complaint.

The 37-year-old is reported to have surprised some team-mates by flying back to Portugal at such a key time for the team, but Rangnick is not getting distracted by such background noise.

"Well, I don't know, I haven't asked him if he's happy at Manchester and at this club," the United boss said.

"For me, it's important that he's fit again and that he resumed training yesterday. We will see with which formation and with which line-up we are going to play the game tomorrow."

Having previously turned down the chance to clarify whether he or the club were aware of Ronaldo going to Portugal, he said: "Well, as I said, it happened last week.

"I didn't know anything about that trip and therefore it doesn't make sense now to waste energy and deal with it because the games that we have to play now are too important.

"Therefore I decided to put my focus on the upcoming games and not waste any energy with