MY ACCOUNT
Ralf Rangnick insisted motivation should not be a problem for players at a club like Manchester United amid a disappointing run of form.
A 1-0 defeat at lowly Everton condemned United to their second loss in four Premier League games, as many as they suffered in their previous 15 top-flight games following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
That leaves Rangnick’s side six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with seven league matches left, as United appear set to miss out on Champions League qualification this season.
The Red Devils will look to get back on track when they host Norwich City on Saturday at Old Trafford, where protests against United owners, the Glazer family, are planned to happen before kick-off.
Rangnick expressed his understanding for the frustration of the supporters as he suggested motivation should not be a factor at United.
“We had spells in games where we played well where we showed the team would be able to play on a higher level, for example, against Crystal Palace, West Ham, Tottenham, away at Leeds, until the 70th minute at Aston Villa,” he told reporters.
“I would have thought we would have been able to play sustainably on a higher level. I’m not happy about that for sure, but we have to recover.
“I can imagine what the reasons are for the problems and of course, without using it as an excuse, we have lost a few players since the West Ham game, we lost three of our strikers that were part of that game.
“The goal against Everton I was not happy with at all, the unforced error in midfield from Fred’s pass and Nemanja Matic’s response, but even after that there were 12, 15 seconds we could have defended better.
“This is the problem we are having, we are not keeping clean sheets. Again, motivation shouldn’t be a problem at a club like Man Utd. They should always have an eternal level of motivation to compete.”
He added on the planned protests: “We all know that football is a game of passions and emotions and we can all understand.
“I can understand the supporters being disappointed about where we stand in the table and the performance against Everton.
“I still believe our supporters are one of the best, if not the best in England, as long as they do the protest in a peaceful way and as long as they still support the team in the stadium.
“They have the right to express their opinion. Emotionally, I can understand them being disappointed.”
There are continued reports that Ajax coach Erik ten Hag has agreed to take charge at United next season when Rangnick turns to a consultancy role at the end of his short-term deal.
But the former RB Leipzig head coach insists all of the focus is on the game against Norwich, following suit after Ten Hag reiterated his commitments remain with Ajax.
“I don’t know if it’s a done deal,” he added. “My reply is the same as Erik ten Hag’s was. My focus is on the game tomorrow.
“Again, we all know he is a good manager, that he has done a good job at Ajax and also at former clubs, but right now it doesn’t make sense to tell you what I think about any other coach.”
