The Premier League’s winter break ends on Friday with Manchester United playing Middlesbrough in the FA Cup but before a ball has even been kicked, another incident has eroded Ralf Rangnick’s authority.
The German manager told his press conference on Thursday that Jesse Lingard asked for time to clear his head, seemingly after a move away from Old Trafford on deadline day fell through.
But the 29-year-old took to Twitter in an open show of defiance and said: ‘The club advised me to have time off due to personal reasons! But my headspace is clear and I’ll always be professional when called upon and give 100 percent.’
Ralf Rangnick has again been hit by a Manchester United player speaking out against his words
Lingard took to Twitter to reject Rangnick’s reasons for missing the Middlesbrough FA Cup tie
The saying goes that once is a mistake and twice is a coincidence but when it’s a club the size of United, once is one time too many. And this is the second time now a player has taken to social media to hit back at Rangnick’s comments.
Anthony Martial was forced to do the same when Rangnick said the attacker didn’t want to be part of the squad for the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa in January.
Martial wrote on his Instagram story: ‘I will never refuse to play a match for Man United. I’ve been here for 7 years and I never disrespected and will never disrespect the club and the fans.’
It’s an emerging theme at United since Rangnick arrived, especially when considered alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s angry reaction to being substituted in the 3-1 win against Brentford last month as well.
Furthermore, any manager at United is inevitably compared to Sir Alex Ferguson, who ran a tight ship when it came to player discipline. Open shows of defiance against Ferguson always ended with the manager underlining his authority.
Reports also emerged in early January, in ESPN, that news of Rangnick’s appointment as interim manager was met by one member of United’s squad having to Google him to learn more about the man taking over.
Lingard’s move mirrors an incident between Anthony Martial and Rangnick this season
Martial took to Instagram to deny Ranginck’s claims that he was going on strike to miss the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa
So what can Rangnick do to turn things around in the business half of the season? Matters have been further hindered by the news around Mason Greenwood’s arrest for allegations of of assault, sexual assault and making threats to kill to an 18-year-old woman. He has been released on bail but United have said he will not train or play for them until further notice.
The Greenwood situation is a reason why United held on to Lingard, especially with Martial also leaving to join Sevilla.
The England international obviously won’t be involved against Middlesbrough but getting him involved, back in the fold at United and focusing on his football could be a key step for Rangnick to help change the mood around the club.
Another simple, yet not too easily attainable for United this season, is to simply win. Starting with Middlesbrough, United have a favourable run of games ahead – Burnley, Southampton, Brighton, Leeds and Watford follow in the Premier League.
United are favourites for all five of those matches and given how tight the battle for the top four is, five wins is imperative.
Furthermore, getting into the Champions League is the bare minimum needed to convince Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at United for another season. On Thursday, ESPN reported that the Portuguese is prepared to wait and see how the season finishes at United before deciding on his future.
Click Here: monaghan gaa jerseys
Cristiano Ronaldo was visibly annoyed when Rangnick subbed him against Brentford
The United star sat slumped on the steps of the dugout after going off in the 3-1 victory
Rangnick commended Ronaldo for speaking out on United woes but he must keep him on side
Ronaldo turns 37 on Saturday. Time is of the essence now when it comes to his career, even for a player who takes as much care of himself as he does.
And in many ways, not just through the impact he has on the pitch, keeping Ronaldo happy is key to keeping a greater element of tranquility at Old Trafford.
He is not afraid to show – like when he was subbed against Brentford – or say how he feels, like when he fronted up for an interview at Sky Sports back in January.
‘Manchester United should win the league or be second and third,’ he said. ‘In my heart, I don’t accept our mentality of being less than top three. We are capable of changing things now.
‘I don’t know the specific way, I am a player and I am not a coach.’
Rangnick commended Ronaldo for speaking out, but if the Portuguese has to again this season it’ll be emblematic of problems worsening. It is vital for Rangnick that United hit the ground running after the winter break.