Big-name flops get the message from ruthless Rangnick
IF MANCHESTER United’s players had any doubts about Ralf Rangnick’s ruthless side, they were dispelled here with his team selection.
After the abject Champions League display away to Atletico Madrid in midweek, in which teenage winger Anthont Elanga came off the bench to rescue a 1-1 draw, some big names were jettisoned.
Out went skipper Harry Maguire, fellow defender Luke Shaw, out-of-form forward Marcus Rashford and £73million summer signing Jadon Sancho, whose impressive recent form came to a shuddering halt in the Spanish capital.
Such a brutal cull would never have happened under Rangnick’s predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who continued to select the same personnel irrespective of form.
In 90 days in charge Rangnick has shown reputations and profiles count for nothing for him if a player is not performing at the required standard.
The message was blunt and brutal with Rangnick having dismantled the entitled, protected culture that had been allowed to develop as Solskjaer’s tenure unravelled.
Rangnick’s switches looked to have had the desired effect early on, although after 20 minutes United could have been forgiven for wondering if it was going to be one of those days.
They hit a post through Cristiano Ronaldo, who also had a goal correctly disallowed for offside against him.
Bruno Fernandes had a shot saved by Ben Foster when he should have squared the ball for Ronaldo to tap in, United’s stand-in skipper then volleying wide moments later.
And in the 26th minute Ronaldo rounded Foster and chipped to Fernandes who was unable to direct his far-post header on target.
By half-time United had registered 10 shots on goal, the wasteful pattern continuing after the break with Paul Pogba steering wide and Elanga missing the target moments later.
Rangnick picked the right team and cannot be held responsible for United’s failure to convert any of their slew of chances, while Watford deserve credit for their defensive diligence and discipline which was rewarded with a vital point in their battle for survival.
United were booed by sections of their own fans at the end and, with their next three league games against Manchester City, Spurs and Liverpool, this was one they simply had to win. Their failure to do so could ultimately prove fatal to their top-four hopes.
Ronaldo, who has scored once this year, looked to have nothing left in the tank having played five full games in 14 days, his goal threat and creative spark blunted by the relentless demands placed on him.
Edinson Cavani’s absence through injury means Rangnick has no option but to play Ronaldo, 37, in attack in every game and it is taking its toll on the icon despite his formidable physique and condition.