Manchester United under Rangnick

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Pressing from the front, dominating possession and keeping a clean sheet - Ralf Rangnick could hardly have asked for more from his Manchester United players on his Old Trafford bow against Crystal Palace

* Fred scored with 13 minutes to go to give Manchester United a deserved 1-0 win
* Interim boss Ralf Rangnick named the same XI that beat Arsenal on Thursday
* United gained possession high up the pitch regularly and dominated the ball
* David de Gea was hardly tested as the Red Devils kept a rare clean sheet

Control. It’s been the buzzword since Ralf Rangnick was appointed by Manchester United, and in that sense this was a very encouraging start to his stint as interim manager.

‘If you want to win a football match, you have to control it, so the aim right now is to help the team control games more,’ Rangnick wrote in his first programme notes before beating Crystal Palace on Sunday. ‘Finding a way to win this first game is my only focus.’

And find it, he did, even though United weren’t in total control and it took 77 minutes for Fred to emerge as the unlikely hero against obdurate opponents.

Rangnick will settle for this – certainly after just one rainswept training session since taking the reins from caretaker Michael Carrick – and the signs were there that he can make a significant difference.

KING RALF

As introductions go, it was of the more subdued variety as Rangnick emerged from the tunnel shortly before kick-off and made his way quietly to the technical area where he stayed for most of the game.

When he got there, Rangnick turned and offered a gentle nod to the main stand at Old Trafford where United luminaries Sir Alex Ferguson, Denis Law and Wayne Rooney were sitting, but there was certainly no great fanfare for the German.

At one stage before half-time, he rushed off the pitch to retrieve the ball so United could restart play as quickly as possible, in stark contrast to Palace boss Patrick Vieira who seemed more interested in starting a chat with Diogo Dalot when he got hold of the ball two minutes later.


Much like his players on the pitch, Ralf Rangnick looked in control on the touchline on Sunday. Rangnick could not contain his excitement when his side found the breakthrough late on

Indeed, Rangnick displayed little emotion until 13 minutes from time when Fred’s sumptuous finish brought a clenched fist celebration.

At full-time he raised his arms in the air and shook hands with United’s technical director Darren Fletcher before congratulating his players and reciprocating the applause from supporters as he headed back down the tunnel.

PRESS GANG

So how much of an impact could the godfather of gegenpressing make in the short time available to him?

Well, inside four minutes Bruno Fernandes rushed in to make an interception to set up a chance for Marcus Rashford and the crowd roared again soon afterwards when Cristiano Ronaldo closed down Marc Guehi and Scott McTominay threw himself at Tyrick Mitchell.


Bruno Fernandes set the tone by putting Crystal Palace's players under pressure early on

It couldn’t last, of course. It would have been asking too much of Rangnick or his players to swarm around their opponents like Liverpool or Manchester City after such a short time together.

But Palace were pinned back in the early stages and there was clearly a desire to assume control of the game, as 61 per cent possession would suggest. This is what United fans are used to from their team at Old Trafford.

They didn’t have it all their own way and Palace pressed for an equaliser towards the end. But it was notable that Ronaldo was back in his own box to head clear from a free kick in the dying seconds, and was still chasing down substitute Michael Olise just before referee Craig Pawson blew the final whistle.

FORWARD THINKING

Rangnick was clearly determined to get on the front foot, and the only disappointment is that United had to wait so long for a goal.

He opted for a 4-2-2-2 formation that gave full-backs Diogo Dalot – preferred to Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right – and Alex Telles to get forward as much as possible.

Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes had freedom behind Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford, with Sancho encouraged to run more directly at the opposition more than we have seen since his £73m from Borussia Dortmund.

It led to a string of half chances for Ronaldo, Fernandes, McTominay and Dalot in the first half before Telles clipped the bar with a free-kick in the second.

Fred continued to get forward more, as he did during Carrick’s three games in charge. But whereas he couldn’t execute a chip against Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy a week earlier, this time he got the technique spot on to beat Vicente Guaita.

The assist went to Mason Greenwood after Rangnick turned to the young England striker and teenager Anthony Elanga to try and break the deadlock. It worked.

NO PRESSURE

The other advantage of playing the game so far up the pitch and dominating possession meant United came under very little pressure for the majority of the match.

A team that had conceded 24 goals in the first 14 Premier League games of the season simply couldn’t continue in the same vein, and this was only a third clean sheet of the season in the league.


David de Gea was clearly pleased to pick up all three points, and he hardly had a save to make

David de Gea faced just two shots on target and ironically Palace’s best chance – a glaring miss from Jordan Ayew after James Tomkins had headed across goal from a corner – came just moments before Fred scored the decisive goal.

A Palace side that had struggled to get out of their own half for long periods threw caution to the wind after that and threatened late on but United deserved their win.

Of course, we have to bear in mind the opposition and the circumstances. This wasn’t Liverpool, Leicester or City who pushed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the brink of the sack. It wasn’t Chelsea and Arsenal, Carrick’s two opponents in the league.

But Rangnick has his first win. The interim is up and running.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10277119/Manchester-United-positive-start-Ralf-Rangnick-winning-1-0-against-Crystal-Palace.html

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Ralf Rangnick reveals delight at 'better than expected' Man United display after his spell as interim boss began with a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace - with the German hailing his side's 'exceptional' first-half pressing

* Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in Ralf Rangnick's first game as boss
* The German only officially took charge on Thursday due to work permit issues
* United have barely had any training time to implement Rangnick's style of play
* But he admitted he was impressed with their performance against the Eagles

Ralf Rangnick was surprised at how well Manchester United pressed Crystal Palace after winning his first game as interim boss, and singled out Cristiano Ronaldo for praise.

Rangnick only had one rain-interrupted training session at Carrington on Saturday to work on team tactics, and was delighted with the response as they beat Palace 1-0.

Questions have been asked of Ronaldo's willingness to play a pressing game but Rangnick paid tribute to the Portugal star.

He said: 'I was positively surprised by the physical state and intensity. The first half-hour was amazing. I felt it was extremely high-tempo, high intensity, always on the front foot.


Ralf Rangnick praised Man United's 'better than expected' performance against Crystal Palace. A stunning finish from midfielder Fred gave the Red Devils three points on Sunday

'The only thing missing was not scoring one, two or three goals. For me, it was clear you cannot play the whole game at this level of intensity but even after that we had control of the game.

'By the way, Cristiano Ronaldo's work off the ball. Chapeau! I must admit I was surprised because not only did we play Thursday, a late kick-off, we also had two days less to recover compared to Crystal Palace.

'We did not even have a full training session yesterday. It was 45 minutes because it was pouring. It was not just Manchester weather, it was disgusting. It was heavy rain and windy so it was almost impossible to train in a concentrated and focused manner.

'But they still did it in those 45 minutes on the pitch. We explained how we want to play and the rest was video footage, a lot of personal conversations with players, individually and in groups, explaining to them how we want to play. I didn't expect them to play at that level after such a short time.

'It was about gaining control and we had control most of the game.'


The German also praised the off-the-ball work of 36-year-old forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left). The Red Devils have now won three of their four games since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked

Fred scored the decisive goal with a curling effort off his weaker right foot in the 77th minute. It was only the Brazilian's fourth goal in the Premier League since joining United three and a half years ago.

'It was a beautiful goal with his weak right foot,' added Rangnick. 'I had to ask my assistant coach if that was Fred's right foot. I thought he could only shoot with his left.'

Bruno Fernandes also paid tribute to his team-mate, saying: 'Fred has these moments — one shot per year! Everyone is happy for him because he's such a nice guy. He works a lot and people don't talk about him. Everyone knows the manager wants more pressing from us. The first 25 minutes was unbelievable, a great tempo.'

Palace boss Patrick Vieira was left to rue an awful miss by Jordan Ayew just moments before Fred scored as his side suffered a third straight defeat.

'In these games you have to score those. Against the big teams, you get punished,' said Vieira.

'He (Ayew) is a team player but the forwards are judged by their number of chances and those goals they score.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10277451/Ralf-Rangnick-delighted-better-expected-Man-United-display-spell-begins-win.html

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Jamie Carragher insists Ralf Rangnick has 'put his stamp on Man United from day one', as he compares German's impact to Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel's starts at Liverpool and Chelsea

* Manchester United edged Crystal Palace 1-0 in Ralf Rangnick's first game
* The interim coach took charge at Old Trafford after just two days with the team
* Jamie Carragher compared the German's instant influence to Klopp and Tuchel
* His colleague Gary Neville believes Rangnick has already brought 'order'

Ralph Rangnick's Manchester United bow earned rave reviews from Jamie Carragher, who spotted the German's influence all over their victory against Crystal Palace.

The Red Devils edged Patrick Vieira's men 1-0 at Old Trafford thanks to unlikely scorer Fred – keeping their first clean-sheet at home of the 2021-22 season.

The naivety and defensive madness of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's final days were gone, and Rangnick's organised pressing philosophy was on display from the get-go. The German had a mere two days to prepare his new charges at Carrington.

'I was impressed with Manchester United,' Liverpool legend Carragher said on SkySports. 'From the fact Ragnick put a stamp on the team from day one.


Manchester United got off to a winning start against Crystal Palace under Ralf Rangnick. The German interim coach instantly started to put his influence on the team on Sunday

'That was a criticism of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and it's a similarity with Klopp and Tuchel. He put a stamp on it straight away, with his system and pressing from the front.

'The top managers – certainly these German managers that have come in when the season's already started – they put the stamp on their team in game one, Tuchel and Klopp, two of the best managers in Europe.

'Whatever you say about United's performance yesterday, Ragnick put that stamp on his team.'


Jamie Carragher was full of praise for Rangnick's quick work with his new struggling charges. United closed Palace down much more effectively and stopped their counter getting in. Ragnick still faces a tough task to get the Old Trafford club back on track this season

United are already 11 points off leaders Manchester City but are qualified for the Champions League last-16 and only three points off the top-four.

Stopping the flow of goals past David De Gea was no mean feat for Rangnick on Saturday. Only Leicester have conceded more goals among Premier League's top 15 teams.

Carragher's Monday Night Football colleague Gary Neville is feeling optimistic after a torturous period for United fans.

'They got there and got the job done,' the former right-back added.

'I came out of it saying: What a great 30 minutes, that's what we want to see from United. In the last hour they just got over the line, they tired a little bit.

'I actually reflect today and respect the last 60 minutes more, because Rangnick has had 48 hours to coach his team and lets be clear, in the last six to seven weeks we've said United have been a mess defensively.

'Conceding goals like you wouldn't believe, battered at home by Liverpool and City, all the teams have cut through them. What Rangnick would have wanted yesterday was order, and I think we got that.

'The most important thing Rangnick did in his 48 hours work was get the clean-sheet, stopping the counter attack, not being chaotic and a mess and I think that's really good foundations to build on.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10281515/Jamie-Carragher-insists-Ralf-Rangnick-stamp-Man-United-day-one.html

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Gary Neville urges Manchester United to be 'flexible' and 'agile' with their managerial situation and would not be against interim Ralf Rangnick STAYING as boss beyond the end of the season

* Ralf Rangnick was recently appointed as interim manager of Manchester United
* His contract runs until the summer, followed by a two-year consultancy position
* But United icon Gary Neville has urged the club to be flexible with the situation
* Neville said Rangnick could stay longer as boss depending on how things go

Gary Neville has urged Manchester United to consider allowing Ralf Rangnick to stay longer as manager if necessary.

Rangnick, 63, was recently appointed as the club's new interim manager until the end of the season, with a two-year consultancy role after that.

However, United icon Neville insisted circumstances could mean it is better for the German to remain as boss beyond the summer, and encouraged the club to be 'flexible' and 'agile' in considering all possibilities.

He said: 'I call it coaching the club. He's going to be coaching the team for the season and he's coaching the club for two years, in terms of the structure and a football project with a clear ethos. I don't think they've had that for the last eight to 10 years, and reacted to managers' wants and wills, which is what Everton are doing.


Gary Neville has urged Manchester United to consider letting Ralf Rangnick to remain as boss. United won in Rangnick's first game in charge with a much improved display. There are clear comparisons to the situation with Rangnick's predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was given the permanent job after impressing as interim before being sacked

'It was right to give Ole the job. Let's say there isn't anybody world class who can take over for four years at the end of the season and Rangnick had a great six months. I wouldn't be against him having another season as manager as a United fan.'

Neville did claim it was the right decision for United to have given his former team-mate and friend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the permanent job after impressing on an interim basis, although that ended with the Norwegian being sacked.

And he added: 'Let's say halfway through that season, which I think happened with Ole when (Mauricio) Poch(ettino) came available when he left Spurs, maybe at that point Rangnick goes up to the upstairs role.

'If a world class manager is available, he should come in for the bigger four-year project.

'Be flexible, be agile. If he wins the Champions League, the players love him and the football's unbelievable, you'd probably keep him going. But still be flexible enough to know he can go upstairs. They've got to be open to all options.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10281607/Gary-Neville-not-against-interim-Ralf-Rangnick-STAYING-Man-United-boss-summer.html

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Rio Ferdinand believes Ralf Rangnick has already changed Manchester United for the better and points out 'notable differences' in the win over Crystal Palace, but warns his former club 'can't get carried away'

* Manchester United won 1-0 in Ralf Rangnick's first game in charge on Sunday
* United kept a first Premier League clean sheet at Old Trafford this season
* Rio Ferdinand believes the German has already had a major impact on United
* United won possession in the final third of the pitch 12 times on Sunday, the joint-highest figure since 2013

Ralf Rangnick's impact is already being felt at Manchester United, with 'notable differences' emerging in the team's tactical approach, according to Rio Ferdinand.

The German, who will be in charge until the end of the season before taking on a two-year consultancy role, kicked off his reign as interim manager at Old Trafford with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, courtesy of a superb strike from Fred.

One of the architects of Gegenpressing (counter-pressing), Rangnick has vowed to transform United into a high-intensity pressing team but warned it would take time for his philosophy to deliver results.

Ferdinand, however, believes the 63-year-old had already tweaked United's style of play significantly.

'We won't get carried away, it's been one game and maybe a training session,' the former England international said on BT Sport on Tuesday, prior to Manchester City's game against RB Leipzig, Rangnick's former club.

'But there were noticeable differences and changes to the team, the structure of it, the way they pressed as a team – that's the important point.''


Ralf Rangnick won his first game as Manchester United's interim manager on Sunday. Rio Ferdinand believes United already look different under Rangnick after just one game. United won the ball in the final third of the pitch a season-high 12 times against Crystal Palace

'I think Rangnick has come in and you can see the differences in terms of intensity, working from a structure, working from a base,' Ferdinand added.

'He keeps saying he wants to get a good balance between attacking with the ball and without.'

Against Palace, Rangnick named an unchanged starting XI from the one that had beaten Arsenal 3-2 just three days earlier, but opted for a 4-2-2-2 formation.

Having often looked very disjointed when trying to press under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United were far more cohesive when looking to regain possession on Sunday.

United won possession in the final third of the pitch 12 times against Palace, the joint-highest tally since Sir Alex Ferguson retired following the 2012-13 season.

There were improvements in other areas of the pitch too, as United conceded just eight shots for an xG (expected goal) against value of 0.75, respectively the second-lowest and fourth-lowest figure this season.

While Jordan Ayew had a glorious chance to put Palace ahead, United looked generally more solid at the back than in previous outings and David De Gea kept a first Premier League clean sheet at Old Trafford this term.

In his first press conference as United's interim manager, Rangnick had suggested he would place great emphasis on ensuring his players recover the ball quickly.

'Football, for me, is to minimise the coincidence factor and have control and gain control of a game. This is football, what it’s about.

'This is my approach and I will try to help these outstanding, talented players to try and keep away from their own goal.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10285325/Manchester-United-look-different-Ralf-Rangnick-says-Rio-Ferdinand.html

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Jamie Redknapp says it could take MONTHS for Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick to get what he wants from his squad as he insists players have fallen into 'bad habits'

* Manchester United beat Norwich thanks to a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo
* Ralf Rangnick's side struggled throughout the contest at Carrow Road
* David De Gea made some vital saves to allow them to walk away with the win
* Jamie Redknapp said it could take time for Rangnick to bed in his ideas at United
* He hit out at several players for losing the ball and not tracking back

Jamie Redknapp has suggested it could take months for Ralf Rangnick to get Manchester United playing the way he wants.

The interim manager watched his side struggle to a 1-0 win against bottom of the league Norwich, with Cristiano Ronaldo again coming to the rescue with a 75th minute penalty to take the three points.

United though had David De Gea to thank, who made some crucial saves to keep out Norwich and was awarded Man of the Match in what was a lacklustre display from the team.


Manchester United struggled to a 1-0 victory over Norwich thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's goal. If it wasn't for David De Gea though United might not have walked away with the three points

Sky Sports pundit Redknapp claimed that United's players have fallen into 'bad habits' - which is something Rangnick will have to resolve going forward in his time as interim boss.

Redknapp said after the game: 'From United's point of view, this is what I expect from them at the moment there's a few problems with the system, set-up, it will take time for the manager to bed in what he wants and it's going to be a case of giving him weeks or months to do that as a lot of United players have bad habits.

'They don't chase the ball back, we talk of the modern pressing game that managers want, there's a lot of players who aren't doing that in this system.


Jamie Redknapp hit out at United's players saying that they have fallen into 'bad habits'. He claimed it could take weeks or months for Ralf Rangnick to get what he wants from United

'Especially when you play two up front, you leave yourself isolated in wide areas. Sancho and Fernandes have to run with the ball and chase when they haven't got it.

'And I don't think they had the energy to do that today but it's three points, they've got some really good games ahead of them so he'll be pleased with the points but he can't be impressed with that performance.'

Co-pundit Dion Dublin agreed with Redknapp and suggested that United fans would go home disappointed despite taking the victory.

He said: 'They haven't seen any good football, any good squeezing, haven't seen any good defending, haven't seen anything good apart from the result.

'Man United players as individuals. have to start pointing at each other and saying "that's not good enough," because at the moment, old habits they're doing bad things and then they're not getting punished because they're doing bad things it's been accepted.

'It's been like that for a very long time. They have to start looking at their own game.


Marcus Rashford was one United player who was sloppy in possession and didn't chase back

'Give me blood, sweat and tears you're wearing a Man United shirt.'

One of the big problems for United was their sloppy play while in possession of the ball.

Sky Sports reported after the game that Bruno Fernandes lost the ball 27 times during the contest.

At half-time, Redknapp singled out Marcus Rashford for losing the ball and not running back to try and win it back.


Bruno Fernandes gave the ball away 27 times during the match before he was subbed off

After the game, Redknapp added: 'He (Fernandes) gave the ball away 17 times in the first half, Rashford ten, Ronaldo eight.

'You talk about players at the top end of the pitch, the luxury players I don't mind if they're doing it because they're trying something special but it was basic errors.

'Not good enough. Running out wide might not suit him (Fernandes) at the moment watching him today it was a poor performance.

'Worst thing about it is that anyone can give the ball away we've done it hundreds of times but go get it back, but I didn't see that intensity. And that will be something Ralf Rangnick will be concerned about because the possession lost there is nowhere near good enough.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10300371/Manchester-United-Jamie-Redknapp-says-players-fallen-bad-habits-Norwich-win.html

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Ralf Rangnick's Man United training sessions have been 'very intense', reveals David de Gea... and he says the new boss has brought 'energy and pace' to the squad

* David de Gea hailed Man United's step up in intensity under boss Ralf Rangnick
* The goalkeeper said players were working with 'energy and pace' in training
* United have returned to Carrington after squad was hit by a Covid outbreak


Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea believes his team-mates are thriving from 'very intense' training sessions under new boss Ralf Rangnick, saying the squad have responded with 'energy and pace'.

United were forced to postpone their last two games against Brentford and Brighton after a Covid outbreak hit the team, but the Red Devils are now back at Carrington and eager to resume their campaign after 16 days out of action.

The team have had a turbulent season so far with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being sacked following a string of poor performances that earned them some heavy criticism, but De Gea believes the players have been given a lift and are benefitting from Rangnick's tough workload.

'It's great. It's good to have the whole team back to train properly altogether and then of course see they are all safe,' he told the club's official website.


David de Gea believes United players are benefitting from Ralf Rangnick's 'intense' sessions. The German is looking to stamp his mark on the team after being appointed interim boss

'They are back, they are all training, they are fine so it's great to be together again.

'We've been training hard, of course. It's very intense, every training session, every moment with him [Rangnick] is intense,' added our no.1.

He said United were still adapting to Rangnick's methods after he was appointed as interim boss for the remainder of the season - and added they were keen to ensure their hard work pays off when they approach their next big game.


De Gea said the players have shown 'energy and pace' in sessions since Rangnick arrived. The Spaniard has been in impressive form and he wants the team to keep more clean sheets

'You have to give 100 per cent every time in training and in the games. Let's see. It's just the beginning, it's been a couple of weeks, so let's see in the future.

'The team is training with energy, with pace, and now we have to show that in big games.'

De Gea has impressed in recent weeks, putting in an commanding display against Norwich earlier this month to earn United a 1-0 win - their second clean sheet in a row, and the Spaniard has challenged the side to continue their defensive resilience.

'Yeah, I think the most important thing for us is to keep clean sheets,' he added.

'If we concede fewer goals, then we have top players up front who are going to score goals and win games.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10345305/Ralf-Rangnicks-Manchester-United-training-sessions-intense-reveals-David-Gea.html

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Gary Neville warns Manchester United they may have to DITCH Ralf Rangnick's preferred 4-2-2-2 system as the Sky pundit insists it is a 'massive ask on the full backs' and he doesn't 'know any team in Europe that plays it really well'

* Gary Neville has queried whether Manchester United can stick with their setup
* The Red Devils typically play in Ralf Rangnick's preferred 4-2-2-2 formation
* But iconic former defender Neville cast doubt on the feasibility of the system
* United eventually drew 1-1 against Newcastle at St James' Park on Monday night

Gary Neville has cast doubt on Manchester United's ability to continue playing manager Ralf Rangnick's preferred 4-2-2-2 system.

Rangnick, appointed on an interim basis in late November, won his first two Premier League games 1-0 against Crystal Palace and Norwich, but his side struggled to create chances in attack on Monday at Newcastle, looked vulnerable in defence before eventually scraping a 1-1 draw.

And iconic former defender Neville admitted the German may soon be forced to change the tactical set-up to get the most out of his players.


Gary Neville has admitted Ralf Rangnick may have to ditch his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation. The new Manchester United manager's system has seemingly been built to play to the strengths of star forward Cristiano Ronaldo (centre), 36, with another forward to support him

He said before the 1-1 draw: 'The problem with this system is twofold. One is that ultimately you don't have the balance at times.

'When you're defending, you actually become a 4-4-2. The issue you've got is you've got to have a partner for Ronaldo.

'It will be interesting to see him ditch the system he's played (in his first two games) - I don't know any team in Europe that plays this system really well. It's a massive ask on the full-backs.

'As a full-back you're expected to go up the field and be the width of the team but also to have little protection for large parts of the game. With a bit more quality, Norwich would have exploited them. It's a big ask on Dalot and Telles, can they do it defensively if they're exposed against decent teams? I don't quite see it.


Iconic former defender Neville said he expects the German to change things sooner or later

'He may change, whether it's tonight (Monday) I'm not sure but eventually it'll come because I don't see another top team doing it. I'm not sure about the system personally.'

United's squad appear more naturally suited to the 4-2-3-1 formation played under Rangnick's predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the two forwards up front seemingly designed to get the most out of star forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 36.

But the Portuguese's 13 goals in 18 matches prior to kick-off in all competitions may see Rangnick satisfied to play the likes of Marcus Rashford or Mason Greenwood up front to provide the support Ronaldo needs, even if it puts more pressure on his full-backs.

Edinson Cavani came off the bench to spare United's blushes on Monday night and Neville contended post-match that the system looks to be ill-suited to this group.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10348263/Gary-Neville-questions-Manchester-United-persist-Ralf-Rangnicks-preferred-4-2-2-2-setup.html

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Dreadful body language from 'whingebag' stars, a lack of respect from Ronaldo, and a formation that stifles the attack and leaves them open at the back... Man United's top four hopes hang by a thread as Rangnick scrambles to save the season

* Manchester United laboured to a 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Monday evening
* They should have lost the match at St James' Park after a lethargic performance
* The result left them seven points off the top four - their minimum expectation
* Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes sulked and summed up poor attitude
* Ralf Rangnick's go-to formation clearly isn't suited to United's current players

It wasn't really worth the wait. After over a fortnight of inactivity because of a Covid outbreak, Manchester United returned to action with a lacklustre performance at Newcastle.

The fact they came away with a point, thanks to Edinson Cavani's equaliser 19 minutes from time, was just about the only positive they took away from St James' Park.

While the rustiness from the time off and any lingering effects of the virus must be taken as mitigation, it doesn't come close to excusing another display that summed up the drift and decay of the modern United.

Sulky body language, a shortage of energy, a catalogue of unforced errors and wide open spaces in defence were just some of the issues that would have alarmed interim manager Ralf Rangnick.


It was another night of frustration for Manchester United as they came away with just a point from Newcastle on Monday night after two weeks of inactivity thanks to Covid. Interim manager Ralf Rangnick will be expected to deliver United a top four finish

The German has been brought in as a safe pair of hands to salvage another turbulent season and steer United to a top four finish and a return to Champions League football.

But reality must be dawning on Rangnick that United's top four hopes are already hanging by a thread. Already seven points off Arsenal in fourth, they can ill-afford to drop any more points during what is a kind festive fixture list.

Having played poorly at Norwich before the Covid problems, United were even worse against a Newcastle side who started the night bottom of the table and who had conceded 11 times in their last three matches.

Somehow, this dysfunctional United side made them look brilliant and, as so often, were left indebted to crucial late saves from David de Gea to take even a point.

We take a closer look at some of the problems Rangnick must address with urgency if United are to achieve that top four finish.

Poor body language

You'd have thought United would be raring to go having not played for two weeks but their mental approach to Monday night's match was all wrong.

While title challengers Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool usually start matches strongly and go about their business with ruthless precision, United didn't turn up at all in the first-half.

It's become something of a theme that if their early attacks don't come off as intended, or if a few passes go astray, frustration quickly creeps in, shoulders slump and arms wave.


Gary Neville furiously labelled United a 'bunch of whingebags' after a shambolic performance

Gary Neville nailed it in the Sky Sports studio at half-time: 'They're whinging at each other! They're a bunch of whingebags!

'Watch them on that pitch, arms up in the air, complaining about everything. Honestly, they're absolutely shocking.'

It didn't help that they fell a goal behind just seven minutes in thanks to Allan Saint-Maximin but United seemed to lack patience and an element of trust in their game plan and abilities.

As a result of this shoddy attitude to the task at hand, there weren't any positives at all to take from the opening 45 and very few from the second-half.

The bad body language has been a feature of a frustrating season. All their work under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was supposed to translate into success and silverware this time around but the reality was the exact opposite.

Although Rangnick may yet salvage something from the campaign, it feels as though it's already a write-off, another lost year, and the players are refusing to hide their frustration.

Lack of respect from Ronaldo

As the United players went over to applaud the 3,000 travelling fans up in the Gods at St James' Park, there was one player conspicuous by his absence.

Cristiano Ronaldo wasted little time heading for the tunnel at the final whistle, barely acknowledging the Newcastle players let alone those who'd made the journey to support.

It's far from the first time he's done this and it's a baffling show of disrespect for supporters who follow the team everywhere at great expense and effort.


Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel at the final whistle rather than going to applaud the fans

Not only that, but these fans hero worship him and regularly sing his name.

As Neville said: 'I don't care how you've played, You need to go over and clap the fans at the end of the game. Get over to them, particularly when you're the best player in the world, and one of the greatest of all time.'

Rangnick gives the impression that he doesn't care at all for egotistical players and he needs to have a quiet word, as do his team-mates. After all, they should be a 'team.'

Rangnick needs to re-think his formation

You can't blame Rangnick for going with what he knows with limited time available on the training ground amid a hectic schedule and then the Covid complication.

But it's already clear his favoured 4-2-2-2 formation doesn't get the best out of this United team.

The formation asks a lot of the two wing-backs and while Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles are undoubtedly skilled pushing forward, any team quick on the transition and the counter is liable to leave United exposed defensively.

Further forward, it can become congested, as was evident against Newcastle. While another forward playing alongside Ronaldo - Mason Greenwood in this case - is designed to support the Portuguese star, there is a lot of treading on toes.

That's especially true when you have Marcus Rashford tucked in behind them and also Bruno Fernandes. Everyone seemed to want to occupy the same space and attacks became disjointed.

This United side played 4-2-3-1 under Solskjaer for so long, it might be worth going back to it. That shape provides a greater balance and the necessary width without too much reliance on the full-backs.

Wide open at the back

The corollary to this is that United are then short-handed in defence. Newcastle, with their speedy players, were perfectly equipped to take advantage - and did so.

Harry Maguire has many qualities but the speed to cover vacant spaces that an attacker might run into unfortunately isn't one of them.

His inclination to bring the ball out of defence to try and get United moving is fine until he is caught in possession, then panic sets in.

On Monday, he was paired with Raphael Varane, in action for the first time since November 2 because of a hamstring injury.

These two will be United's first choice centre-back pairing going forward but they've barely played together yet and it showed.

It didn't help that the intense press evident in Rangnick's first game against Crystal Palace was absent.

The German coach demands that the attackers provide the first line of defence. Against a struggling side like Newcastle, fragile in confidence, mistakes could have been forced.

But it didn't happen and even they were able to cut through United too often for comfort. When this happened on a quick turnover of possession, with the full-backs stranded up the field, Rangnick's team were wide open and that's a big worry.

Dave saves (too often)

David de Gea has been United's Player of the Year four times since Sir Alex Ferguson retired and must be odds on to add a fifth.

They're simply too reliant on their Spanish keeper to save them in matches. It was the same on Tyneside, with De Gea making a string of crucial stops, notably from Miguel Almiron in the dying moments, to avert the calamity of defeat.


David de Gea makes one of a number of important saves during Monday night's draw. United would be stranded in mid-table if not for the excellence of their Spanish goalkeeper

It was the same story in the win at Norwich, when De Gea saved from Teemu Pukki and Ozan Kabak to get United over the line.

It's one of football's universal truths that if your goalkeeper is the man of the match, something is going wrong.

United are indebted to De Gea far too often for comfort. Without him, we wouldn't just be debating whether they can make the top four this season but whether they can make the top half.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10349705/Manchester-United-four-hopes-hanging-thread-Ralf-Rangnick-faces-issues.html

[zudomiriku]

Stop stropping! Gary Neville calls on Man United's stars to meet - without Ralf Rangnick - to 'sort out' their problems, including a lack of chemistry with Ronaldo, cliques, morale and players wanting out

* Gary Neville has urged Manchester United players to work out their differences
* Sportsmail revealed morale is low and there are chemistry issues within squad
* The ex-United defender did not hold back when analysing former club this week

Gary Neville has urged the Manchester United players to hold a meeting to work out their differences.

Sportsmail revealed on Monday that morale is low, there are concerns over cliques, chemistry issues between Cristiano Ronaldo and some team-mates, while some stars want to leave.

The former United defender, who did not hold back when analysing Ralf Rangnick's side in their 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Monday, has called on stars to 'sort out' their problems in a private meeting.

'On United I'm seeing reports of dressing room dissatisfaction this morning,' he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday morning.

'Something wasn't right v Norwich and certainly not v Newcastle.

'Still four pts from those games is not a disaster considering the performance levels. Have a meeting (without staff) and sort it out!'


Gary Neville has urged Man United players to hold meeting to work out their differences


Former United defender has called on stars to 'sort out' their problems in a private meeting

Neville branded United players a 'bunch of whingebags' as he let rip into them after their 'shocking' first-half display at St James' Park.

He said on Sky Sports: 'They're whinging at each other! They're a bunch of whingebags! A bunch of whingebags! Watch them on that pitch, arms up in the air, complaining about everything! Honestly, they're absolutely shocking out there in that first half.

'They got the last manager the sack! Ralf Rangnick is not going to get the sack, he's only had a few weeks with them, but they'll get a lot of managers the sack, that lot, if they carry on like that. They've got to sort themselves out because it's massively below what's expected.

'They've played the two teams at the bottom of the league, and they've shown us nothing! Nothing to do with the manager, by the way. It's to do with the players out on the pitch. Not good enough.'

Neville also added that the lack of cohesion at the club will leave interim boss Rangnick 'genuinely worried'.

And the ex-defender has not been the only one to criticise United stars' body language in recent weeks, with Rangnick doing so following their narrow win over basement boys Norwich on December 11.

After rescuing a point at Newcastle through substitute Edinson Cavani, Rangnick was also less than impressed with his team's 'energy and physicality'.


There are still questions over Cristiano Ronaldo's chemistry with some team-mates. Neville added that the lack of cohesion at the club will leave Ralf Rangnick 'genuinely worried'. Neville branded United players a 'bunch of whingebags' after their first-half display on Monday

United returned to action after 16 days away - caused by a coronavirus outbreak within the squad - but produced a below-par performance in the north east.

Neville slammed both Ronaldo, who snubbed United fans at the final whistle and headed straight down the tunnel, and Bruno Fernandes.

Sportsmail revealed that there are still questions over the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's chemistry with certain team-mates, including Mason Greenwood.

Neville also hinted at leadership issues and it's believed that United captain Harry Maguire has been more subdued since Ronaldo returned in the summer.

'The attitude, the basics, something just isn't right in there. There's definitely whinging going on,' Neville added on Sky Sports.

'They're all at each other, they're not helping each other, and the spirit of a dressing room is really important. I don't think they're all with each other at this moment in time.

'There's a big of a leadership struggle going on; Maguire is the captain but he doesn't feel like the captain. Ronaldo has come in, and has maybe upset Bruno with the hierarchy in the team, Cavani comes off the bench, a senior player.

'It just doesn't feel like the mix is right. Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] was struggling with it towards the last few months, and now Rangnick is struggling with it. Those players don't look happy out on the pitch, and they need to get that right.'

It's understood that the mood at the training ground is very low and concerns over dressing room cliques have not been helped by an upgrade to the canteen that has seen six four-seater booths installed.

Rangnick takes later training sessions and the players are said to be struggling to adjust, while Anthony Martial, Dean Henderson, Eric Bailly, Donny van de Beek and Jesse Lingard are agitating for moves away from Old Trafford.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10352299/Man-United-Gary-Neville-calls-stars-meet-sort-issues-meeting.html