Rangnick: ‘Man Utd no longer has a chance to race for the top 4’

“Almost certainly. In my opinion, Man Utd does not have many chances to compete for the top four since before today’s match. And after this result, that ambition is gone.” Rangnick reply after losing at Emirates in the earliest match round 34, when yes BT Sport asked about Man Utd’s chance to finish fourth in the Premier League.

Yesterday, Man Utd got off to a bad start when consecutively conceding two goals from Nuno Tavares’ cushion and Buyako Saka’s penalty kick. Unlike the defeat to Liverpool a few days ago, Man Utd strongly protested and continuously made waves towards the home goal. At the end of the first half, Cristiano Ronaldo rekindled hope for the “Red Devils” with a one-touch finish to defeat Aaron Ramsdale.

Man Utd maintained the pressure and had a tenth chance to equalize the score. 57 minutes, the away team was awarded a penalty when Tavares let the ball touch his hand in the penalty area. On the 11m dot, Bruno Fernandes He jumped to the left corner, tricked Ramsdale, but sent the ball back to the post to go all the way across the goal line. A few minutes later, Ronaldo put the ball into the net for the second time Arsenalbut the goal was disallowed for offside.

This match, Man Utd squandered many opportunities, when Diogo Dalot had two shots that hit the crossbar and post. Standing firm under pressure from Man Utd, Arsenal found the scoring goal thanks to Granit Xhaka’s left footed kick from outside the box. This 1-3 defeat makes the opportunity to attend the Champions League next season almost closed for Man Utd. They are currently six points behind Arsenal – the team that is fourth – but have played one more game while the tournament has only four rounds left.

Compared to the last match – lost 0-4 at Liverpool Stadium On April 20, Rangnick said that Man Utd kicked better. But the German coach is very dissatisfied with the defensive quality of the “Red Devils”. He said: “Man Utd played better in the middle of the week, but still had to receive disappointing results. We quickly got up after conceding early and created countless chances. The only weakness in Man’s performance. United is not defending well in and around the box.”

Rangnick was also dissatisfied with VAR’s decisions, including recognizing Xhaka’s goal and denying Ronaldo’s goal. “Man Utd were also unlucky in three VAR situations. Arsenal’s third goal was clearly offside. David De Gea told me he couldn’t see the ball. Ronaldo’s second goal was definitely not offside. In addition, there was a hand-to-hand situation in the first half, “emphasized Man Utd coach.

When asked why Ronaldo gave Fernandes to take the penalty, Ranginck explained: “I talked about this with Ronaldo after the game. Ronaldo said he didn’t feel he should take it, and that’s why he said it would be better. if Fernandes kicks”.

The 63-year-old coach later admitted: “If that penalty turns into an equalizer, it will help Man Utd a lot, and perhaps change the game. But the ball finds the post. Man Utd also hit the mark. the post and the crossbar in two other situations. Luck was not on Man Utd’s side this match. I don’t blame the spirit of the players today.”

The arrangement Harry Maguire The bench is one of five changes Man Utd, compared to the starting line-up in a weak 0-4 defeat to Liverpool in midweek. The English midfielder has appeared in 28 of the 33 matches in the Premier League this season. Maguire missed the games against Everton and Wolves due to injury, and was substituted for two games against Aston Villa and Brentford earlier this year. He was also absent from the match against Chelsea in November 2021, due to a suspension.

Rangnick revealed to let Maguire rest after being threatened with a bomb at his home by fans. He said: “I have to make a decision. Only two people play at centre-back, and I left Maguire out, and put Raphael Varane and Lindelof in the starting position.”

Hong Duy