Ralf Rangnick was on the verge of handing Edinson Cavani a starting spot at Newcastle before speaking to the veteran forward.
The Red Devils had not been in action for 16 days prior to the trip to St James’ Park following a coronavirus outbreak with the camp, while Cavani has struggled for fitness this season.
United interim boss Rangnick has revealed that he was looking at including the Uruguay striker from the start but Cavani did not think he could manage from the off when the pair held talks.
Ralf Rangnick was on the verge of handing Edinson Cavani a starting spot at Newcastle
The veteran forward did come off the bench to rescue a point for Manchester United
‘Actually, in the last two days I was also considering to play him from the start,’ Rangnick said.
‘I spoke to him yesterday and the day before yesterday and he didn’t feel comfortable to play from the beginning.
‘He didn’t know how fit he really was but today after being 1-0 down at half-time it was clear to me that we had to take more risks, we needed to change something and that’s why we decided to bring on him and Jadon [Sancho] at half-time.’
Rangnick has revealed that he was looking at including the Uruguay striker from the start
Cavani was called upon with United trailing 1-0 to relegation-threatened Newcastle at half-time and the forward needed just 26 minutes to make an impact.
The 34-year-old provided the clinical touch in front of goal to salvage a point for United.
United’s stars have come under scrutiny following their below-par display in the north east, which came after a narrow 1-0 victory over bottom-of-the-table outfit Norwich earlier this month.
Ex-United defender Gary Neville branded United players a ‘bunch of whingebags’ as he let rip into them after their ‘shocking’ first-half performance on Monday night.
Rangnick’s side are seven points off fourth-placed Arsenal and will be looking to return to winning ways when they welcome Burnley to Old Trafford tonight.
