Has Ralf Rangnick moved Manchester United forward since taking over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? A large number of United supporters would probably say no.
Rangnick’s record as the team’s interim manager might read pretty well on paper, but performances on the pitch have been far from desirable.
Solskjaer’s side conceded quite a lot of goals, yet scored them at a pretty consistent rate as well. This new version of the Red Devils does neither.
They have yet to win a game by more than two goals, with their biggest results coming against Burnley and Brentford (both 3-1).
Even then, the pair of Bs arguably deserved more out of the match, especially Brentford, who had David de Gea to blame for failing to earn at least a point.
Mistakes from key personnel are still rife in the United side, while the club’s identity remains something of a mystery. The general atmosphere around Old Trafford hasn’t changed much from the days under Solskjaer, despite Rangnick’s attempts to reshuffle the order.
Luke-less United
One of the biggest differences between the two managers has been the form of Luke Shaw.
Solskjaer pretty much salvaged Shaw’s career following his major fallout with Jose Mourinho. The England international enjoyed a particularly profitable season in 2020/21, topped off by winning United’s player of the year award.
Thanks to his domestic form, the defender went on to become Gareth Southgate’s first-choice left-back at the European Championships. But the setting has been switched with Rangnick at the helm.
Shaw-shank redemption
Shaw has only featured in half the games managed by the German, with his once locked-down full-back role challenged by Alex Telles. However, that’s not all down to dodgy displays.
Shaw missed three fixtures due to a head injury, another couple because of a hamstring problem and one more through suspension. When available, the 26-year-old remains one of United’s most influential attacking outlets.
Away at Burnley mid-week, it was Shaw’s cross that set up Paul Pogba’s goal, although it was cancelled out later by Jay Rodriquez.
According to WhoScored.com, only Bruno Fernandes has played more key passes (2.9) per league game this season than Shaw (2.0) at United. Southampton’s academy product also leads the way for accurate crosses per game (1.4) and corners (1.3).
United are certainly better off with Shaw in the starting XI. If he can rekindle the spark he found under Solskjaer, perhaps Rangnick will have found the solution to one of his many issues?
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