Real Madrid are taking precautions with their star man.
According to reports Ronaldo won’t be risked against the Catalan giants as with Madrid already 16 points behind Barca, Jose Mourinho will know it’s not worth taking a chance with his top scorer.
The Sun notes:
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to miss El Clasico — to keep him safe for the huge clash against Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho will not risk his main man today because Real Madrid regard Tuesday’s Champions League return at Old Trafford as their biggest game this season.
They need at least one goal after the 1-1 first-leg draw at the Bernabeu.
With Real trailing Barcelona by 16 points in La Liga, Ronaldo is set to start on the bench this afternoon, though he may get a second-half run-out.
Real travel to Manchester buzzing after beating Barca 3-1 in the midweek Copa Del Rey semi-final at the Nou Camp.
Another win against shell-shocked Barcelona could send the Catalans into a tailspin — but Mourinho knows beating United is far more important given that La Liga is all but over.
It’s hardly a surprise that a manager as savvy as Mourinho will do everything humanly possible to give his side even the slightest advantage -who can forget the time he had Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso get themselves deliberately sent off.
Ronaldo isn’t the type of player that even necessarily needs resting but let’s just hope Sir Alex Ferguson doesn’t go the same way with too many United players today, as despite what some people may think Norwich aren’t a complete pushover and the Premier League hasn’t been won just yet.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4820485/Manchester-United-v-Real-Madrid-Ronaldo-set-for-Barcelona-rest.html#ixzz2ML2JOSCv