Rang the changes or Ron could do a runner from flops
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, he said on Friday, 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.
Ralf wondered aloud before this game at the Amex Stadium whether he might have pushed harder. You certainly should, Ralf – but it would not have solved all your problems.
Rangnick this week said he was confident that Ronaldo would stay. The Portuguese star has a year left on his deal, but there is speculation that he will move on.
Rangnick was actually a student in his younger days at the University of Sussex, just across the road from the Amex, and he used to go as a student to watch Albion at their old Goldstone Ground.
He won’t have enjoyed his return to Sussex. United over the 90 horrible minutes could barely string a pass together, and it was no surprise when Moises Caicedo gave a lively Brighton the lead.
The Seagulls were everything United weren’t. 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.
Albion by contrast have now reached their record Premier League points tally, as they have improved year by year under Graham Potter.
Brighton 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, he must have been, in his mind, checking the flights home after May 22.
Rangnick, excuses made, will be off to manage Austria. Ten Hag? Good luck mate.