December 31, (THEWILL) – Manchester United concluded the 2021 calendar year with a much-improved performance against Burnley at Old Trafford and the Red Devils’ interim manager Ralf Rangnick revealed his efforts to iron out the terrible body language that had been on display against Newcastle.
In the Thursday night tie, United took a 3-0 lead with goals from Scott McTominay and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as an own goal from Ben Mee, before Burnley’s Aaron Lennon pulled one consolatory goal back for the visitors.
Rangnick’s side had been chastised for their performance in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle only three days before, with former captain Gary Neville criticising the ‘whining’ players, as THEWILL reported.
Rangnick spoke to this in his post-match comments following the Burnley win: “At Newcastle, it was a difficult game for us, we were 1-0 down after seven minutes, and they did well.
“We didn’t play well, especially in the first half at Newcastle and the reaction to what’s happening on the pitch is the question. Do we fight back? Do we show them we’re still a team and we believe in ourselves? Or do we shake heads?
“These kind of things only help the other team and do damage to our own team. For me it was clear to tell them…’Listen, we behave and work as a team and don’t show these kind of side effects on the pitch’.”
McTominay added: “We are all learning and adapting. We play for Manchester United, we are dominant and we need to get results.
“Body language is one thing and the manager has come in and said he wants to cut that out, so that is final. We have taken it on board.”
Rangnick was generally satisfied with what he saw against Burnley, describing it as the team’s greatest attacking effort since he took over earlier this month.
“Whenever the ball was in our half there is still space for improvement but offensively that was so far the best performance,” the German explained.
“It was about fresh legs, fresh energy, fresh bodies, more physicality against this team. We knew how difficult they would be, how persistent they would play and it was a little bit of a war of attrition, a little bit of a difficult one to play.
“Therefore, it was important to me to have six fresh players on the pitch compared to the game at Newcastle.
“In the end, it paid off. It was the right players in the right positions. For me, it was important to have every player in his best possible position.”
United, who were playing in an inexplicably offensive 4-4-2 system, were allowing Burnley to get into space and appeared vulnerable at the back, but their newfound positive approach paid dividends.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
