So when United brought in Ralf Rangnick as interim boss, I wrote about it and said how I think it was a really smart appointment, and could sort out a lot of the issues that they ran into under Ole.
Though, Rangnicks first month or so at United just proves to us that it's absolutely not the manager, it's the players. (It might still be the manager, which I'll explain, but the majority of United's current problems come from their players)
On current trajectory it feels like Rangnick might not steer United to a Top 4 finish
I'm taking their recent 1-0 loss to Watford as an example, as it proves a lot of my points.
THE GAME STATS
Chance creation for United was really poor - Wolves had 19 shots total, 6 on target, United only had 9, 2 on target.
Possession stats were relatively even, though I did notice United were quite sloppy in possession for a large portion, it looked really easy for Wolves to win the ball back and attack - United lost the ball several times in very poor positions.
Towards the end of the game especially United just looked deflated.
JONES MOTM
United veteran Phil Jones, who came into the team as replacement to Maguire, got the MOTM, and deservedly so, putting in a really strong performance, and undoubetly the best player in their back 4.
The fact that Jones can come into the team after about 2 years out and pull a better performance than all of Maguire's this season combined, is really worrying.
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| at least one player was ready for the game |
RONALDO
I had suspicions that Ronaldo wouldn't exactly have an easy time at United, and I think this game proves it.
There was hints of this at Juve, but I feel like with Ronaldo in United's teams, there is a tendency for them to rely on him a lot, with a lot of goal contributions coming through him. This therefore somewhat fizzles out the effectiveness of a lot of United's attacking players who performed well under Ole, like Greenwood and Fernandes (Fernandes was on the bench for this game!)
Not only this, Ronaldo is a diva, and has been for a while. He'll regularly have talks to refs and linesmen, whining when things don't go his way. Combine that with the fact that he was criticized for not clapping travelling fans after games and lots more, and you have a recipe for disaster. I'd certainly not take him at Chelsea at any point.
United cannot rest everything on Ronaldo, or they'll really struggle. To be honest, I still think re-signing him was a massive error; there was nothing wrong with their attack (in fact they had one of the best attacking lineups in the league) and they have other glaring issues that need sorting first.
Also, Ronaldo got selected as captain for this game, which I found hilarious.
RANGNICK'S TACTICS
Probably not the first to say it, but I don't think the 4-2-2-2 is working. From this game alone, the players look completely lost; some players adapt to it well and others are just completely hopeless. Rashford has not had a great season so far, Ronaldo and Cavani didn't get any chance delivery that could be turned into shots on target, Matic and McTominay in midfield, I could go on.
You've got players that were on fire last year that are now nullified in this system. Rangnick has to realize that.
They certainly improved in the second half and had great chances to equalize right at the end, but Wolves held strong.
The January window's open now for mid-season transfers, and Rangnick can defintely push his ideas for new inclusions, so who United sign between now and the summer can potentially make a positive impact.
THE TEAM AS A WHOLE
are a bunch of absolute losers, from an outside perspective. If I was a United fan I don't know what I'd be doing.
(I am a fan of some of them, I think Edi Cavani was a great signing, a striker who knows how to score goals, as well as a great team player, someone who can motivate those around him and acts as a great reference point for the club's young players. Give him the armband, for gods sake)
I will never understand how Leicester managed to bank 80 million for Harry Maguire, the man looks totally lost, I don't think you could name a top 6 centre half that makes more errors than him.
They've needed a midfielder for years and years, but they just keep signing forwards. What does Sancho add to the team? Genuinely curious.
Matic / McTominay / Fred cannot be your midfield options going foward, it really can't. Matic is about 5 years past his best, McTominay is not in his most comfortable position, and while Fred has improved a lot since signing, you can't rely on him alone.
I could go on, but I won't. United have a talented squad, but also an arrogant and babyish squad that won't win anything if they don't get serious and start playing for the team.
Rangnick has his work cut out for the remainder of this year, godspeed to him.