Rangnick reacts to Anfield defeat

Tuesday 19 April 2022 23:10

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick says his side were not good enough in the first half at Anfield, during the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday evening.

Rangnick's men conceded twice in each period, although the German admitted United improved for 25 minutes after the break, until Sadio Mane scored the third goal.

Here are the main comments from Ralf's post-match interview with MUTV and Sky Sports...

Ralf: We didn’t finish our moments Video

Ralf: We didn’t finish our moments

Rangnick was disappointed with United’s first half and that we didn’t take advantage of a bright spell after the break…

THE FIRST 45 WAS POOR

“Very, very disappointing first half. The goal we conceded after six minutes was not part of the game plan. To be that high up and to open up that much space for one of the biggest strengths this Liverpool team has - the transitional moment - it was just ridiculous and we shouldn’t have done that. Then the early injury for Pogba. We didn’t have many natural ball winners to start with. That’s why we decided to play with a back five. We changed that at half-time, the first 25 minutes of the second half was better. Still we didn’t make a lot out of the moments we had in their half. At least it was a game that was open in the first 25 minutes [of the second half] and then the third goal that we conceded killed and finished the game off.”

POGBA'S INJURY

“He pulled his calf muscle. As it seems right now, this will not be an injury like the one Fred has, which will be gone in one week. I fear that Paul will not be available for [the] Arsenal or Chelsea [games].”

THE THIRD GOAL KILLED ANY HOPE

“Had we scored a goal it might have changed the game but we didn’t. As I said, we had our moments in and around the box but we couldn’t finish any of those moments and the third goal again was a pressing invitation. To play a ten or twelve-yard short pass into Anthony Elanga just doesn’t make sense. Everyone knows he is a player for the ball behind the backline and not into his feet. They were just waiting for that ball. It was quite similar to the goal we conceded at Everton. Six seconds later the ball was in our net.”

WE WEREN'T ATHLETIC ENOUGH

“They are one of the best teams in the world and we are just not physical or athletic enough. Against teams like this, if you want to cause them problems, you have to have a few counter-attacking moments yourself but we couldn’t and that’s why we lost 4-0. I’m pretty sure any of the players in the starting XI knew about the importance of the game – not only with regard to the league table but also with regard to our fans and supporters. To be able to get something out of a game like this you have to be on them. You have to attack them and cause them problems. In the first half we didn’t do that at all, in the second we did for 25 minutes.”

Report: Liverpool 4 United 0

 Article

The Reds suffer defeat on a hugely frustrating night at Anfield.

WHY I BROUGHT ON HANNIBAL

“Normally it’s better to give a player like him a debut when you’re 3-0 up but we haven’t been 3-0 up so often this season. That’s why I decided to play him for the last 10 minutes. He was a little maybe overly motivated in those two moments but I think the referee had the right feeling not to send him off.”

LOOKING AHEAD TO ARSENAL

“We said that quite a few times in the past couple of weeks. We still have to be realistic. I don’t know how many players will be available. Hopefully we have a couple of them at least available but right now I don’t know. The game will take place in four days but for us it’s about the focus only on the next game.”

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