Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick (left) and striker Cristiano Ronaldo interact during the match against Crystal Palace on December 4, 2021 in Manchester, England. Photo: VCG
Red Ralf
Is six months an era? Are Manchester United back? Does this show that Cristiano Ronaldo can press?
There were many questions after Ralf Rangnick’s bow as Manchester United’s interim manager, with the German having a few of his own.
“I had to ask my assistant coach if that was Fred’s right foot,” Rangnick joked in his post-game interview last weekend. “I thought he could only shoot with his left. I’m happy for him.”
Fred, a much maligned figure for most of his time in Manchester, scored the only goal of the game as United secured a first clean sheet at Old Trafford after 15 consecutive home games in all competitions.
“These kinds of players are always able to score goals. Today we had to have some patience but we are able to score goals so as long as we keep clean sheets – it was only the third clean sheet this season – as you say, we are always able to win,” Rangnick said.
“It’s always easier to build on things after you’re successful,” Rangnick said. “We must produce further clean sheets and get better at creating chances for our attack. Overall, I was very pleased with the way we played today.”
The German said that he was especially pleased given his start in Manchester coincided with some of the city’s famous weather.
“I must admit I was positively surprised. On Saturday, it was disgusting weather and was almost impossible to train in a focused manner. I didn’t expect them to play at that level after such a short amount of time.”
It was a rapid start from the home side, who lined up unchanged from the win over Arsenal under caretaker boss Michael Carrick but were unrecognizable from any of the recent performances under sacked boss Ole Gunnar Solkskjaer.
“I’m very happy with the way the team performed, the way they played – especially the first half-hour, that was exceptional,” Rangnick said. “The only thing missing was 1-0 or 2-0. We had control of the game. I am very happy with the result and the clean sheet.
“I said in my first press conference, there are things we need to improve on, to get clean sheets, to get control of the game. What they showed was more than I expected, to be honest,” the German 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.”
That front foot football came from the decision to change formation.
“It was logical not to change too many positions after the win. Everyone was fully fit, recovered. For me, the question was how do we get pressure on the ball, how do we get control? So I decided to play 4-2-2-2 with two strikers, not Cristiano alone upfront, together with Marcus [Rashford], using pace for vertical balls.
“And, at the same time, with Jadon [Sancho] and Bruno [Fernandes] on the two No.10 positions, for the rest [of the players] it was the same. We had enough space with Bruno and Jadon in those 10 positions for our fullbacks to play forward and ask for the ball on the wing.
“So they almost played like wing-backs. Especially in the first half, Alex [Telles] and Diogo [Dalot], did extremely well offensively and that’s why I played 4-2-2-2. I’m a big fan of every player plays in his best possible position.”
The signs were encouraging, even if the visitors spurned a golden chance to take the lead in the second half when Andre Ayew fired wide at the far post when it seemed easier to score. United weathered that and soon after Fred notched what would prove to be the winner.
“Patience was important, but we always tried to be on the front foot – that’s what I liked today,” Rangnick said. “We were always trying to keep them away from goal. We wanted to play with two strikers and with two 10s, to get more control in the cener of midfield.”
Rangnick had special praise for Sancho and Fernandes, who played as No.10s in his tweaked formation.
“The most demanding positions in that formation are the 10s and I think Bruno and Jadon did well in those positions. Defensively they both did well.
“Obviously it was about keeping them away from our goal, keeping them consistently under pressure and chasing balls and winning balls. We decided to go for a slightly different formation but only slightly different.
“We played with two strikers, Marcus and Cristiano up front with Jadon and Bruno on the 10 position and for the rest of the team it was the same position as usual. I just thought it might be better to have control in the center of the pitch with Cristiano having a partner up front and I think it worked out well.”
Arguably the question of how Ronaldo fits in under Rangnick has been answered, with the German praising his veteran striker: “What Ronaldo did today ‘against the ball’: chapeau,” he said.
Rangnick also took his hat off to Fred, but not just for the first goal under his stewardship.
“If you play the way we played today with regards to intensity and having four offensive players, it is highly important that you have players who are disciplined,” the German said. “Both Scotty [McTominay] and Fred are perfect for that. I think everybody loves Fred. You have to love Fred. I’ve got to know him for only two days now but he’s a sunshine.”
There is precious little sunshine in Manchester in the winter so Rangnick will take it where he can get it, but he noted that the Old Trafford crowd had already warmed to him.
“Yes, the atmosphere is amazing. I was here 10 years ago and then I watched a few games five years ago and three years ago. But now being responsible here myself, the way they [the fans] encouraged the team, they helped the team even in difficult situations, it’s amazing. Probably unique.”
Rangnick’s honeymoon will continue with those in the away end at Carrow Road this weekend if he keeps up his winning start.
Global Times
