Rangnick is standing by decision to sub Ronaldo
Ralf Rangnick stood by his decision to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo despite the striker’s angry reaction during Manchester United’s 3-1 win at Brentford.
Goals from Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford boosted Manchester United’s top-four ambitions. But the spotlight was once again on Ronaldo, who was far from impressed when his number came up with 20 minutes left.
The striker trudged off slowly before hurling his coat tothefloorashesatdownmuttering ‘why?’. However, UnitedinterimbossRangnicksaid: “He was asking ‘why me’? But I told him I take the decisions in the interest of the team.
“We were 2-0 up at Aston Villa last week with 15 minutes to play and we didn’t want to make the same mistake, so I decidedtoswitchtoabackfive.
“Cristiano was not happy, he is a goalscorer. But for us it wasmoreimportanttobecompactanddefendtheirset-pieces. I said to him I know you are still ambitious and you want to score, but maybe in a couple of years when you are a head coach you will make me the same decision.
“I didn’t expect him to hug meafterbeingsubstitutedbut Itakemydecisionsintheinterest of the team and the club. I have never had any issue with Cristiano.”
Teenage winger Elanga, starting only his fourth Premier League match, broke the deadlock early in the second half after Brentford had spurned a host of chances to take the lead.
England forward Greenwood then notched his first Premier League goal since October and Rashford climbed off the bench to add the third and secure United’s first win of 2022.