United revel in the late show
RASHFORD STRIKES FOR RANGNICK IN FERGIE-TIME
INTERIM maybe, but Ralf Rangnick now knows what it’s like for a Manchester United manager to endure in Fergie-time.
United, watched by Sir Alex Ferguson, had looked as if they’d miss the chance to leapfrog West Ham into the top four, mustering only one shot on target in 90 minutes of regulation time.
But three minutes later, they not only scored — but the winning move involved all three of Rangnick’s attacking substitutes.
Anthony Martial fed Edinson Cavani on the left, he fired low across the penalty area and Marcus Rashford scrambled in having been usurped in the starting line-up by Anthony Elanga in recent games.
Old Trafford went crazy like times of old but there was still a modern twist to the drama, with VAR undergoing a long check to see if Cavani had been offside when receiving the ball.
It looked desperately close but technology ruled in United’s favour and Rangnick was able to smile for virtually the first time on an otherwise anguished afternoon.
‘If you score in the last second of the game that is the best type of wins, particularly with a clean sheet. I think in the end we deserved to win,’ said the German.
‘It takes patience to play West Ham. A few moments at the end I wished we would have passed the ball instead of shooting from wherever.
‘Bearing in mind we played a few days ago against Brentford, the team looked physically good. The way we played defensively, won balls back, I was really happy.
‘I am very pleased the three subs helped score the goal. All were involved. That makes it even more important.’
United were better than in recent weeks with Cristiano Ronaldo looking interested in link-up play as well as scoring goals, and skipper Harry Maguire aggressive in his challenges as he returned for Victor Lindelof, playing particularly hard against his former Hull team-mate Jarrod Bowen.
But it was still far from a vintage display from United with Alphonse Areola’s only save coming from Fred before Ronaldo tested him with a shot from an offside position.
Though Ronaldo had justifiable claims for a penalty at the end of the first half when Kurt Zouma barged him in the back, the home side wilted in the second period and West Ham looked the likelier scorers at the end.
David de Gea had to pull off a great reflex stop to prevent a Raphael Varane deflection from creeping over the line.
But United’s late breakthrough enabled Rangnick to celebrate consecutive wins for the first time.
It won’t be enough to extend his tenure beyond the season when United will seek for a longer-term solution like Mauricio Pochettino but it was an improvement on their last home league game, a miserable 1-0 home defeat against Wolves.
United’s attackers also pushed forward with purpose but too often made the wrong final decision. Ronaldo had to gesture his displeasure more than one towards Mason Greenwood after the striker selfishly decided to shoot rather than pass — and was nowhere near scoring.
Ronaldo, showing no hangover from a neck strain picked up in training, was close to connecting with a Bruno Fernandes cross, flying horizontally at the ball. Diogo Dalot got up from rightback and headed wide.
But it’s in Manchester United’s DNA never to stop going for it. Even when Martial fluffed his lines after 92 minutes, taking a poor touch as Fernandes found him in the area, one very final chance arrived.
Ronaldo dropped deep to receive a pass from Alex Telles and move on to Martial. He fed Cavani outside him and Rashford converted.
It was heartbreak for West Ham boss David Moyes, who is on the hunt for a new striker. ‘In a perfect world, we would get someone but we have been trying for two years to add another striker,’ revealed Moyes.
‘We have put in a few offers for players but couldn’t get them or they were too expensive. It is trying to get players who can help us. We will continue to keep trying, we have a week or so to so, we will keep looking.