Ralf Rangnick insists Manchester United do not need a squad overhaul despite the club’s struggle for consistency this season.
United crashed out of the FA Cup on Friday evening after a penalty shootout defeat to Middlesbrough, the Red Devils squandering a number of clear-cut chances before losing on spot-kicks to the Championship side at Old Trafford.
The club are also embroiled in a tight race to secure a top-four finish and Champions League football, having been backed as potential title challengers following a summer transfer window that included the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho.
Speaking ahead of the Red Devils’ clash with Burnley in the Premier League tomorrow evening, Rangnick said a squad overhaul is not needed and insisted there have been signs of improvement from his side in recent weeks.
“I don’t know. I don’t think so,” Rangnick said on a potential squad overhaul at his pre-match press conference.
“Overall, the development of the team and performances the last couple of weeks have improved.
“There are two points of criticism that we all have to face. One was we wasted too many clear-cut chances, 22 shots inside the box, 10 were massive opportunities and we should easily have been 3-0 up at HT. It should have been 6-1 or 6-2. And the other one was 10 secs before we conceded the goal, it was a perfect counter-pressing situation inside their half, we took away time but not the ball away from them and eight seconds later we were outnumbered in our box, it was a handball goal and I’m still convinced this goal should have been disallowed, but we shouldn’t have allowed this situation.
“Those are the two things I fault with the team. We invested a week into the gameplan and many of those things have been confirmed by the team and were shown on the pitch against Middlesbrough.”
Rangnick also discussed the return of Varane from injury, with the France international having endured a frustrating first season in the Premier League.
The German was pleased with Varane’s condition against Middlesbrough and expressed his delight to have the summer signing back amongst his options at centre-back.
“He seems to be physically fit and has no issues anymore with injuries,” he added on Varane.
“Up until he was substituted he did extremely well with Harry [Maguire] against a Championship team but an ambitious Championship team.
“I’m very happy to have him for tomorrow’s game. Hopefully we can have him in the same form for the upcoming games.”
