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“There were two problems”- Rangnick slams Man United team for ‘unforced errors’ in Newcastle draw

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Manchester United manager, Ralf Rangnick.

Ralf Rangnick claims Manchester United drew against Newcastle United due to unforced and technical errors

Speaking in his post-match press conference, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick expressed his displeasure with his side’s unforced and technical errors in the draw against Newcastle United.

The Red Devils slumped to a 1-1 draw against the Geordies on Monday night. The opposition was as easy as it got, with the Toon Army only winning 1 league game all season. However, an opening goal from Allan Saint-Maximin put us on the backfoot. Edinson Cavani equalized 20 minutes from time, but there was no desire to go on and win the game.

However, the bigger concern was the number of unforced errors by nearly every player on the pitch. Mason Greenwood was taking too long on the ball while Raphael Varane did not look like a defender that had won 4 Champions League titles at Real Madrid. Fred and Scott McTominay did not ease the situation either with their shoddy displays.

Ralf Rangnick believes Manchester United drew against Newcastle United due to technical and unforced errors. (imago Images)
Ralf Rangnick believes Manchester United drew against Newcastle United due to technical and unforced errors. (imago Images)

Rangnick claimed that the technical and unforced errors were our doom against the Magpies.

“We did not play good today. Having been down 1-0 after seven minutes, we had too many unforced errors, too many giveaways in possession, including the goal. There were two problems, the unforced errors and the technical errors, which were the wrong decisions in possession. This caused transitional moments from Newcastle. 

“They’re good in this area. The other one [problem] was we didn’t play as aggressive without the ball in counter-pressing. That is a question of physicality. In both areas, we were not at the level we should have been.”

2 points dropped

This was a Man United side that had not played for over 16 days. Despite the Covid-19 issues, they got enough rest and had more than enough firepower in the ranks to blow away Eddie Howe and co.

Rangnick made a bold selection of benching Jadon Sancho, only to bring him on in the second half. However, he too was wasteful. Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure, with Cavani leading the professional approach and scoring when it mattered.

Ralf Rangnick claimed Manchester United were not at the level they should have been in the draw against Newcastle United. (imago Images)
Ralf Rangnick claimed Manchester United were not at the level they should have been in the draw against Newcastle United. (imago Images)

But these are not the performances one expects from a manager of the calibre of Rangnick. Although he put out a strong starting XI, there was no game-plan visible, with David de Gea being the busier goalkeeper of the two. 

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The German has so far been astute in pinpointing the problems at hand. However, he has been appointed to find a fix for them and make the side play attractive football. We are still within earshot of the Top 4 race, but we did miss out on three crucial points on Monday.