Pranav Nair
Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick questions VAR decisions following 3-1 loss to Arsenal
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick believes his side was hard done by VAR following their 3-1 loss to Arsenal at The Emirates.
The loss all but ends the Red Devils’ chances of making the top four this season. Despite going big on signings last summer, it would appear that the Old Trafford outfit will miss out on next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal were the better side on the night and admittedly deserve their win. The Gunners showed more hunger and were able to make the most of their opportunities when they presented themselves. The Red Devils have just themselves to blame for the predicament.
Rangnick cut an angry figure at full time and has now voiced his discontentment at the officials. He believes there were at least four moments that went against his side on the night.
The German was deeply unhappy that Cristiano Ronaldo’s second goal was onside and believes the officials made an effort in declaring it off. While we understand the manager’s opinion, there is a hint of bias in his assessment of the situation.
“The second goal of Cristiano was not offside and you can even see it in that total perspective exactly in one line. I just saw it right now after the game and if this is the right picture.”
Rangnick also cried foul at Arsenal’s third goal that clinched the tie for the Gunners. Granit Xhaka’s long-range effort riled into the back of David de Gea’s net in the 70th minute to restore the home side’s two-goal cushion.
The Spaniard appeared to be blinded by Eddie Nketiah’s presence in front of him, leaving him unable to react in time. Rangnick believes Nketiah’s interference should have been noted and called offside. He admitted to being at a loss to understand why the goal was given.
“Their third goal was clearly offside, I spoke to David de Gea after the game and he said to me he just couldn’t see the ball because Nketiah was in between Granit Xhaka and himself. They checked it but for whatever reason still gave the goal.”
Rangnick also called into question decisions that involved Nketiah and also a penalty call regarding Jadon Sancho and Cedric Soares. While the former is debatable it is clear that Arsenal got away with one when Cedric blatantly used his hand to brush away the ball in the first half.
“This is why we have a VAR and you should expect the VAR plus the referee, if they’re checking situations they come to the right decision.”
While Rangnick to an extent is right that the refereeing was questionable, it does not take away from the fact that Man United were poor on the night. The Red Devils boss is better off taking out his frustrations on Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane among others who were all very poor on the night.
More Manchester United News
- Marcus Rashford has made a decision on his Manchester United future amidst Erik ten Hag appointment
- Ralf Rangnick confirms Paul Pogba may have played his last match for Manchester United
- Fabrizio Romano quotes Erik ten Hag as Dutchman sends warning to Manchester United stars
It seems like the club has given up on this season and is already focusing on Erik ten Hag’s spell. But they must give the Dutchman a strong platform to start the next season on. Top four may now be too hard to get but these games would serve as an audition for what players are worthy of staying here for the rebuild, and which ones are not.
