Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick outlines the importance of win over West Ham
According to ESPN, Manchester United boss, Ralf Rangnick was ecstatic following his side’s 1-0 win last night against West Ham United, claiming that the victory is ‘massive’ in the race for the top four. Man United’s last gasp win now puts them in fourth place, only six points away from third-placed Chelsea, who have played a game more.
The Red Devils struggled to break down a defensively sound West Ham side for ninety minutes, and it took a Marcus Rashford winner in the 93rd minute to snatch victory against David Moyes’ side. Rashford came off the bench in the second half and turned super-sub for the Manchester side, scoring his second goal in as many games.
The German tactician was full of praise for the home fans, thanking them for urging the team on for the whole duration of the game. The Old Trafford faithful were aptly rewarded for their support at the end, courtesy of Rashford’s late winner.
“The red army’s support during the game was amazing. I can only say thank you to all the fans. It’s always good but today was massive and they were also aware of how important this game was. They pushed us through the whole game.”
Rangnick turned the game around in the second half after he brought on three attackers as his substitutes – Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Edinson Cavani – all of whom had a role in the winning goal. Martial was responsible for playing in Cavani through the West Ham box, and the experienced Uruguayan supplied the assist for Rashford to score the winner.
In what was a frustrating closing period of the game Rangnick responded by deploying four forwards to try and secure a winner before the final whistle. The move certainly paid dividends as Man United’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo combined with Rangnick’s match-winning substitutes to claim all three points at Old Trafford and send the club into the top four.
The game saw Martial making a first appearance in the squad since he claimed to want to leave the club. The Frenchman’s appearance was met with scattered boos but he certainly shut them up with his performance. Rangnick was pleased with his contribution and claimed the squad remains united.
“I am happy he was playing today, that came on and had a vital role in the goal. The atmosphere [in the dressing room] is amazing. Quite rightly the boys were celebrating. They know what a massive win this was.
Rashford sent the fans attending the game at Old Trafford in raptures after his goal, in what was literally the last kick of the game. The forward looked to be short on confidence and form in recent weeks but has now scored two goals in two Premier League games as a substitute. This upturn in form is a massive boost to us and we can expect to kick on from here and be a consistent attacking outlet for us for the rest of the campaign.
Despite receiving a mixed reaction from the home support when he came on, all would be forgiven for Martial with his vital contribution for the late winner, as he slipped in Cavani to lay the ball across on a silver platter for Rashford to score. The France international was embroiled in a controversy with Rangnick a week ago regarding the decision not to be in the travelling squad against Aston Villa. The duo appears to have put this matter aside and have moved on quickly, much to our benefit.
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Rangnick has now led the club to successive wins in the Premier League, and it could not have come at a better time. Despite the win sending us into fourth place, we have played more games than top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. It is imperative that we keep up our winning streak going and hope that our opponents drop crucial points in the coming weeks.
The Red Devils now go into the first international break of 2022 in fine spirits. Rangnick will hope that this break from action sees his players come back refreshed and stronger in an effort to push higher up the league.
