Harry Redknapp has claimed Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford are two Manchester United players who have looked out of sorts under the Ralf Rangnick regime.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth manager spoke about how despondent the English pair had appeared to him recently.
Plenty has been made of Rashford’s demeanour during Monday’s narrow FA Cup victory over Aston Villa. The 24-year-old failed to match the pace of the game and rarely gave the Villa defenders something to think about.
He wasn’t playing with the vigour or velocity United fans have enjoyed so much during the past few seasons. Arguably, the forward hasn’t been the same since he underwent shoulder surgery in the summer.
Fighting back to fitness, combined with a managerial change and attitudes around the club, could be the catalyst for Rashford’s apparently rotten mood.
Double discontent for United
Little has been spoken about Greenwood’s emotions, however, yet he is another young United player whose form remains well below par.
His last Premier League goal came in the middle of October, having scored three in three at the start of the campaign.
“(Rashford) looks really unhappy, doesn’t he? He’s a great talent. And Greenwood is the same for me,” remarked Redknapp.
“He doesn’t look like he’s having a bundle of fun there. They are two fantastic young players.”
Redknapp focused on Rashford, saying: “He obviously must have a problem somewhere or his confidence has drained away.
“He used to pick it up and he’d go at people. His first thought was ‘I’m going to attack you, go at you, I’m going to either get a cross or a shot.’
“Now, he gets it and wants to play it back or square. He doesn’t look like the same kid.”
Is Rangnick fulfilling his role?
Usually it should be the manager’s duty to recognise a player’s concerns and act on them accordingly. Ralf Rangnick, however, doesn’t seem to have that connection with the squad – yet.
Reports by the Mirror of mass discomfort in the United camp hints at a disparity between coach and players. Perhaps it’s difficult to place your trust in a man who could be out the door in five months?
This is a risky approach, especially as the Red Devils are still fighting for a top-four spot, have Champions League knockout football to contend with and an FA Cup run to achieve.
But Rangnick needs to get all parties on board if they are to achieve any success this term. If he doesn’t, the German will leave Manchester empty-handed with a half-filled side in his wake.
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