Ralf Rangnick has pointed to Man United’s lack of physicality and energy as the main reason why they struggled vs Newcastle United…
Manchester United were pretty awful against Newcastle United last night. In the end, our Red Devils can probably consider themselves lucky to take a point from the fixture.
It was the Magpies who were pressing and threatening our goal with regular shots on target and good chances being created. Our display was lacklustre, lethargic, and simply put, just not good enough.
Our German manager will know exactly how tough the situation is now that he’s been in the club for around a month. Perhaps he now understands just how much work is needed to turn this pretty dire form around. Can he do it in six months? Well, that remains to be seen…
One thing I do like about Rangnick is his willingness to talk to the media about how poor we played. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he’d do everything to protect those players. Rangnick isn’t afraid to say that we struggled in certain areas.
The German explains that he ‘didn’t like’ the performance at all, highlighting that he hated seeing a lack of control, energy and physicality from our players. Honestly, he’s bang on the money.
Check out what Ralf Rangnick had to say here (Via ManUtd.com):
“I didn’t like it [the performance] at all. We’ve been trying to get better at controlling games – today, we didn’t control the game apart from a few moments. It’s all about energy, physicality and who wins the second balls and the transitional moments and, in all those areas, we were not at our best.”
“In the end, we got a point but the performance overall needs to get better. Against Palace, we were better, that was a different game and we played at home. We then had two away games at Norwich and here at Newcastle and, as I said, it’s about physicality, it’s about energy… you have to be ready and able to win those direct duels and this was not that often the case. Even when we were in possession of the ball, we had too many giveaways, including the goal that we conceded and, if after seven minutes you are one-goal down at St James’ Park, then it doesn’t make things easier.”
“Today was not a question of body language, it was a question of body physicality. The body language was not that much of a problem today, but if you want to be competitive here against Newcastle, then you have to get physical and this was not the case in many parts of the game and, therefore, we were struggling.”
Perhaps some blame can be placed on Covid-19 decimating the squad, coupled with no game in sixteen days. However, it just looked like the players were not up for the fight. That’s unforgivable playing for a club like United.
I do believe there’s too many egos within that dressing room right now. Too many players who just don’t really care about wearing that shirt with pride, banking on their own individual ability to carry them through. Talent can only get you so far.
What I do like about Rangnick is that when he weeds these guys out, he will not be afraid to drop them and make them sit on the bench – however brilliant at football they are when at their best.
It was a poor outing, sure, but these things take time. It doesn’t happen instantly as soon as you appoint a new manager and we’re going to have to remain patient.
I just hope that when Rangnick’s contract is up next summer, United bring in someone who likes to play in a similar way. There’s absolutely no point in hitting the reset button again next summer.
Is Rangnick right? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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