Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick wants two key improvements from his players ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool on the road.
The Red Devils returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon with a 3-2 victory over Norwich City. However, the overall performance was far from convincing.
The 50th hat-trick of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career made the difference at Old Trafford, but it was another game where the defence was unable to keep a clean sheet.
The Red Devils held a comfortable 2-0 lead at one point, but the Canaries came back into the game with two goals on either side of the half-time interval.
Ronaldo’s stunning free-kick in the 76th minute sealed the victory after a sensational save from David de Gea prior to that. Rangnick has warned that United may not get anything from Anfield with a similar showing.
The German said that he would like to see more physicality and aggressiveness off the ball, and was far from pleased with the team’s display against the Canaries.
He told Manutd.com: “We have to focus on our own performance. The result was good, it will lift our momentum and the confidence of the team, but we have to be realistic.”
“With that kind of performance it will be almost impossible to get something out of the away game against Liverpool, and then also away against Arsenal and home against Chelsea will be difficult.
“We need to play better against the ball with more physicality, with more aggressiveness. This was the biggest issue and the biggest thing that I was not happy with today.”
Ronaldo bagged his first free-kick goal in three years, but it was a crucial one for the club. The Red Devils have now moved within three points of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
They have given themselves a good chance of making up ground over the final six matches, but it will be far from straightforward with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea to face.
They have a trip to Anfield on Tuesday night. It could be a difficult challenge if they can’t match up with the intensity of Jurgen Klopp’s side which was the case last time.
The Reds went 5-0 up after just 50 minutes on the clock at Old Trafford. United will need to produce a big improvement on their defensive showing to get a positive result.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
