Rangnick’s reaction to defeat at Arsenal

Saturday 23 April 2022 16:13

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick rued our defensive work inside the penalty area and missed chances following the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.

Rangnick believed that United had shown an improvement from the midweek loss at Liverpool in our prior outing but was disappointed that the Reds’ efforts in both boxes at the Emirates Stadium meant we could not respond with a vital win. 

After the full-time whistle, the German shared his thoughts on Saturday’s early kick-off during post-match interviews with MUTV and BT Sport, as well as in his press conference. 

You can read a collection of all the key lines from our interim manager’s reaction below…

DISAPPOINTING RESULT 
“Improved performance but poor result, I think we created enough chances to score more than that one goal, we bounced back well to that early goal that we conceded where again we didn’t defend well inside and around our own box. This was the only negative issue regarding today’s game but after coming back from 2-0 down we had numerous chances, the penalty, the crossbar, we hit the post twice and a few VAR decisions and that’s putting it in an extremely mild way, we were unlucky. That’s why we are very disappointed about the result but our overall performances was much better.”
Ralf: Poor defending cost us Video

Ralf: Poor defending cost us

The boss felt we produced an improved performance at Arsenal, but was disappointed with our defending...

SHOWING A REACTION
“I think it was still important to show some improvement and a reaction today which was clearly the case. There is no substitute to success. It would have been good for us and the level of confidence of the team if we’d been able to score a second or third goal.”

WHAT WAS SAID AT HALF-TIME 
“We played well and showed a good reaction to those two early goals and still had the belief that we could score ourselves. I told the boys at half-time that if we keep playing like that, we will get enough chances to still change the game.”
FERNANDES’S PENALTY MISS
"Yes we have to take that, if you are 2-1 down and get a penalty and have that chance after being 2-1 down, it would have helped us a lot if that was the equaliser and probably also changed the whole game but it didn't and it only hit the post. We then hit the post twice and the crossbar so, in the end, it was very unlucky for us."

VAR DECISIONS
“There was another handball issue in first half, where Jadon Sancho was involved. The second goal of Cristiano was not offside. You can see it in that total perspective. They were exactly in one line. Their third goal was clearly offside, I spoke to David De Gea after the game, and he couldn’t see the ball. Nketiah was between Xhaka and himself. They checked it but for whatever reasons they still gave the goal. What was the third one? Anthony Elanga? Arm in arm, the other player with him [Tavares]. For me, that was questionable but the other three situations are clear. This is why we have VAR and should expect VAR plus referee should check the situations and they should at least take the right decision.”
Watch Rangnick's post-match press conference Video

Watch Rangnick's post-match press conference

See what Ralf had to say in his briefing with journalists after our defeat to Arsenal...

COSTLY DEFENSIVE WORK 
“I said we were at least unlucky with those three or four moments, but again we have to get better at defending in the box. The way we did that until five, six weeks ago we were on a higher level. Even in the pressing moments, whenever we pressed, Arsenal we were causing problems but we just didn’t press often enough. We should do it more often with more intensity and more players involved. If all the players sprint against the ball it has an even higher effect than it has today.”

WHY MAGUIRE DIDN’T PLAY

“I decided to play with a back four again after the first half of Liverpool and not having enough training time in between. Varane was fully fit again so I had to decide between those three players and after all the issues Harry had to deal with, it was a tough week for him. I just had to decide to play with Rapha and Victor.”

Rangnick explains Maguire decision

 Article

Read why Ralf has opted to start with Lindelof and Varane in defence in north London.

FINISHING THE SEASON STRONGLY
“It’s a question again of pride and a question of honour. We owe it to the fans. We have the next two games at home against Chelsea and Brentford. We saw a few good things today offensively we had enough and created enough. It’s clear we have to defend better in and around the box.”

Recommended: