RON IN A MI LLION
Ralf doesn’t rate his chances at Anfield... even with
RALF RANGNICK warned his Manchester United players they have no chance of taking even a point from Tuesday’s trip to rivals Liverpool – if they repeat this display.
A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick helped the Reds and boosted their top-four hopes. But only just.
United contrived to throw away a two-goal lead en route to beating doomed Norwich and Rangnick struck a pessimistic note post-match.
The interim boss said: “Everybody has seen this game and you all know what kind of team we are playing on Tuesday. They have beaten Manchester City, they’re in the FA Cup Final, they might in the end have a chance to win four trophies this season.
“If we play like we did here, it will be very, very difficult to get even a point out of this game.
“We need to raise our own level and standard. The players we have available today have to arrive at Liverpool and just get anything out of that game.
“We need three points, it can happen in football – it has happened before. But we need to be realistic, we have to play a lot better.”
After United keeper David De
Gea had been forced into a smart early save from Teemu Pukki, the hosts raced into a comfortable two-goal lead over their rock-bottom visitors.
Anthony Elanga set up the first, picking Ben Gibson’s pocket before laying the ball on a plate for Ronaldo to smash home from close range.
And, after a string of chances for the hosts, Ronaldo grabbed his second when he easily outjumped Gibson to head home an Alex Telles corner.
But, while United were playing well going forward, they continued to give up chances at the other end, including a three-v-two that was wasted by Pierre Lees-melou.
As such, it was no real surprise when the Canaries hit back before the break, Pukki crossing for an unmarked Kieran Dowell to head home at the back post.
Boosted by that goal, Dean Smith’s side came out strong in the second half, and were level within seven minutes of the restart.
Dowell this time turned provider, threading a throughball that Pukki slotted in off the post to send the away fans wild.
With the game level g into the final 20 min Rangnick (left) looke his bench, with decision to substi Paul Pogba greete cheers from a frustr home crowd.
The France World winner later cupped ear in a show of defi to supporters at time, but the man later chose to shield player from criticism
Rangnick said: “I d hear the boos mysel I was informed after game.
“I can fully unders
the fans are frustrated, so are we, but I don’t think they should take on individual players. I don’t think that is right or correct.”
The withdrawal of Pogba did not have a direct influence on the game but, fortunately for Rangnick, he had match-winner Ronaldo on hand to smash home a free-kick that Tim Krul failed to keep out, despite getting a strong hand to the ball.
That left Canaries boss Smith lamenting his seemingly doomed team’s failure to turn an encouraging Old Trafford performance into a share of the points.
The former Aston Villa manager arrived at the club with the team rooted to the foot of the table. And despite his best efforts, they are still there. Smith said: “I’m disappointed we haven’t got anything from the match.
“We had the chance after three minutes when Teemu Pukki went through. We started the second half really well by getting it back to 2-2 and David De Gea pulling off the save to keep it 2-2.
“Ronaldo will get the plaudits with his hat-trick and rightly so but we helped him.
“We know we can do a lot better against him.
“But my players are fighting and we’ll continue fighting.
“I thought we showed our spirit. That is all we can do.”