Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has been ruled out of the first leg clash with Spanish La Liga champions Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 as far as Champions League football is concerned this season after failing to recover from his injury. Interim Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick confirmed this to reporters during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of the game billed for the new Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. According to him, Cavani has had difficulties in his quest to return to training from a groin problem and will miss the Atletico Madrid game as a result.
The three matches all ended in a 1-1 draw though the first of the three matches was against English Championship team Middlesbrough at home in the FA Cup. After 120 minutes ended in a 1-1 draw, Middlesbrough beat Manchester United 8-7 on penalties to eliminate them at the fourth round stage of the FA Cup. The other two 1-1 draws were in the league games against Burnley (away from home) and Southampton (home).
Manchester United returned to winning ways with the 2-0 home victory over Brighton. After a goalless draw at the end of the first half, star player Cristiano Ronaldo gave the Red Devils the lead before Seagulls skipper Lewis Dunk was sent off for a professional foul on Anthony Elanga. Bruno Fernandes then made sure of the points in added time of second half at the end of the game with the second Manchester United goal. He was also on the scoresheet as the Red Devils made it two wins in a row on the Premier League scene with the 4-2 away win over Leeds United on Sunday.