Krishnan Sreekumar
Ex Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves defends interim boss Ralf Rangnick after Watford draw
Speaking to Premier League Productions after his former side’s 0-0 draw against Watford at home (h/t Express), ex-Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has jumped to the defence of interim boss Ralf Rangnick after the club dropped yet more points in the league.
The home side failed to put away countless chances created against the Hornets, as United stuttered in their quest to secure Champions League football next season. The Red Devils remain in fourth place in the league table.
Hargreaves, who won a Premier League and Champions League double with United, said that the players were the ones to blame for their recent draw, rather than the manager.
“The players are the ones responsible on the pitch, and they’ve got to take those chances when they’re there.”
Although still fourth in the league, United will be nervously looking over their shoulders as a multitude of clubs are waiting for more slip-ups from the Manchester side to overtake them and claim a UCL spot for themselves.
“Not watching properly”
Rangnick only took over at the club late last year, after the Red Devils sacked club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as permanent manager after a string of poor results. The interim German boss has done well since being appointed in the role, with the side only losing once in the league.
Hargreaves recognised this upturn in form under Rangnick and said that the former RB Leipzig boss cannot be faulted for the draw against Watford. The ex-United star said that if anyone thought it was the manager’s fault, then they are not watching the games properly.
“They’re playing a lot better under Ralf. They really are. If anybody thinks Ralf’s the problem, then they’re not watching properly.”
It was embarrassing for a side full of world-class players to not put a single goal past Ben Foster in the Watford goal, especially considering they were playing at home against a team that was battling relegation at the moment.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Anthony Elanga were all wasteful against the Hornets, as the trio failed to find the back of the net after countless chances created by the team. Ronaldo even hit the post as they came heartbreakingly close to gaining all three points at home.
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Hargreaves is right in his analysis about the players being at fault more than the manager against Watford, as a head coach can only guide his team into creating openings against an opposition side, but it is finally up to the stars on the pitch to apply the finishing touches on these chances.
This has been a recurring story in United’s current season, with the side struggling to find the net despite boasting top attackers. Rangnick will need to find a way to address this issue soon, else the team will be in danger of dropping more points and missing a UCL spot by the summer.
