Dismal United get worse and worse ... no wonder Ralf’s made his excuses
RALF RANGNICK wanted at least one new striker in January. He needed a darned sight more than that.
Manchester United’s chances of Champions League football had all but disappeared in a miserable run of just five wins in their last 17 games under the German, even before this latest dismal, embarrassing collapse made sure of it.
In fact, had it not been for the 24 goals scored by the evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo, this awful campaign would have been even more wretched.
Rangnick implied during the week that he knew the problems, that he wanted to take steps to do something about them – but was not allowed to by the Old Trafford board.
Anthony Martial had been loaned out, Edinson Cavani had succumbed yet again to injury and Mason Greenwood was suspended.
Rangnick (below) said on Friday he wanted to bring in one of Luis Diaz, who Liverpool signed instead, Dusan Vlahovic, who Juventus nabbed, or Julien Alvarez, who will join Manchester City in the summer.
Nope, said the board, because United apparently don’t want to bring in players that a new manager like Erik ten Hag, who will take over this summer, might not want.
The interim manager wondered aloud, before this game at the Amex Stadium, whether he might have pushed harder. You certainly should have, Ralf – but it would not have solved all your problems.
This week Rangnick said he was confident Ronaldo would stay. The Portuguese has a year left on his deal, but there is speculation that he will move on. Much more of this and there won’t be any doubt in his mind.
Rangnick was actually a student in his younger days at Sussex University, just across the road from the Amex, and he used to go as a student to watch the Seagulls at their old Goldstone Ground home, as well as playing part-time for Sussex County League side Southwick.
He won’t have enjoyed his return to Sussex. In 90 horrible minutes, United could barely string a pass together and it was no surprise when Moises Caicedo gave a lively Brighton the lead.
Most of the best came from the joy of watching the lovely little footballer that is Juan Mata, set to leave English football in the summer after eight years at Old Trafford. Never a pass wasted, rarely a poor touch. And at least he looked like he cared.
Elsewhere, there were missed passes galore from this ragtag, shapeless team, as the United fans chanted, “You’re not fit to wear the shirt”.
Brighton were everything United were not.
Bright, aggressive, inventive – and they wanted it, as they showed when Marc Cucurella cracked in the second goal. This desperate season cannot end quickly enough for United, who have now lost their last five away league games.
By contrast, Brighton have now reached their record Premier League points tally, as they have improved year by year under the quietly impressive Graham Potter. Several clubs are looking at the Midlander.
The Seagulls should do their best to keep him. Their football is neat and tidy and, with a limited budget, they keep finding gems.
As Pascal Gross swerved past two non-existent challenges to slot in Albion’s third goal, Ronaldo stood upfield, a bemused grin on his face.
And when Leandro Trossard bundled in the fourth, after Diogo Dalot failed to clear Danny Welbeck’s chip, he must have been, in his mind, checking flights home after May 22.
Excuses made, Ralf will be off to manage Austria.
Ten Hag? Good luck, mate.