PREMIER LEAGUE
LEEDS v MAN UNITED
RALF RANGNICK admits there has been unrest in the Manchester United dressing room.
The interim Old Trafford boss has revealed he’s been battling to unite some unhappy players in recent weeks as he looks to salvage something from United’s troubled season.
But he insists Harry Maguire will remain skipper for the rest of the campaign and played down a rift between the England defender and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rangnick said: “I don’t listen to all the noise too much, my focus is on training and preparing for the next game.
“Obviously I have heard about what was written. I can only tell you from my personal experience in the last 12 weeks. Yes, there were players unhappy, the squad was too big and players realised they wouldn’t get game time.
“The atmosphere is better than it used to be a couple of weeks ago, for all those reasons I spoke about.
“For us, it’s about performing well, showing togetherness on the pitch, winning games and those are the things we can influence. All the other things we can’t.”
Rangnick, whose side face an explosive showdown at bitter rivals Leeds tomorrow, has told Maguire he will continue as captain until the end of the season.
He said: “I have never spoken with any player about a possible change of captaincy. This has never been an issue for me.
“It’s me who decides who’s captain. Harry is our captain and will stay our captain until the end of the season. There is nothing else to that.”
Rangnick admits he had no idea of the long-running hatred that exists between United and Leeds until people at the club told him last week.
This weekend’s powder-keg clash will be the first time Leeds have hosted United in front of a full house in almost two decades.
Rangnick, who will be without the injured Edinson Cavani, said: “To be honest, I didn’t know that until a week ago but most of my colleagues have indicated this is one of the biggest rivalries in the Premier League.” And Marcelo
Ralf admits that Old Trafford hasn’t been a happy camp... but plays down talk of Ron rift with Maguire
Bielsa wants his Leeds players to match the intensity of the crowd in the bearpit at Elland Road.
The Argentine said: “Our fans always support our team unconditionally. It is difficult to imagine a support better than the one we have already received.
“But the presence of a classic opponent increases the enthusiasm and it’s going to be precious to be able to witness it.
“And It is true, defeats against those opponents hurt more than the others.”
United may have struggled for consistency this term but Leeds are well aware of their counterattacking prowess, having been beaten 5-1 at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season.
Injury troubles show no sign of relenting for Bielsa.
Patrick Bamford is still struggling with a foot injury while midfield stalwart Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper and Junior Firpo remain on the sidelines, the first two unlikely to be available until next month.
Ex-United forward Daniel James is likely to lead the Leeds line as he faces his former club for the first time since his £25million switch in the summer.
And Bielsa called on the Wales international and his team-mates to bounce back from a below-par performance which saw them slump 3-0 at Everton last weekend.
Before that, the Yorkshiremen had won two and drawn one of their previous four League fixtures.
Bielsa, whose side sit six points above the relegation places, said: “Like the team, he has had some good moments and some not so good.
“We were showing a good level but in the last game that level dropped.”