Ralf Rangnick insists there is no reason to remove the Manchester United captaincy from Harry Maguire despite admitting to seeing “some weaker moments” from in recent matches.
Maguire has been under fire from United fans for a string of poor performances this season, with some believing he should be stripped of the captaincy.
The 28-year-detractors old’s grew louder over the weekend when United squandered a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 with Southampton at Old Trafford, but interim manager Rangnick sees no cause to remove his designated leader on the field.
“I believe he did exceptionally well when he returned from his injuries. He put up a fantastic performance and played a fantastic game against West Ham” Rangnick remarked.
“He had some weaker moments in the last two games, against Southampton and when we conceded the goal against Burnley, but he’s our captain and I don’t see any reason to change that.”
Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer designated Maguire captain in January 2020, five months after he arrived at Old Trafford in a world-record £80 million trade from Leicester.
Ralf Rangnick believes it will take time for the England international to acclimate to a new method of playing, despite the fact that he has already made 132 appearances for the club.
He continued, ” “He’s a player who, like the rest of the team, needs to grow and improve.
“The way we’re playing now is also new to him because he was used to playing in a back three for the England national team, and here at Manchester United, he’s used to playing in a back four, but still not as proactive, not with that kind of rest defense always being on the front foot when we’re trying to defend.
“This is also something new to him, and it will take some time for him to acclimate to it.”
Rangnick acknowledges Hasenhuttl’s criticism said “it is normal”
Ralf Rangnick admits United are not a “naturally-born pressing team” ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League match against Brighton, after Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl questioned his side’s work ethic during Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
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In his post-match press conference, Hasenhuttl criticized United’s lack of tracking back without the ball, while former United midfielder Paul Scholes suggested that the players did not want to work hard for the club after the stalemate.
“It’s not a big secret that when they lose the ball the reverse gears are not the best from everyone,” Hasenhuttl said on Saturday.
“Well, as far as I remember, he mentioned that they were struggling in the first half against us, that we won quite a few balls, and I think the sheer fact that they altered their formation two or three times within the first 45 minutes showed that we did a decent job in the first half,” Rangnick remarked.
“Yes, what he said about us not being a natural-born pressing squad is correct. They haven’t done that in a number of years, and turning them into a pressing team all of the time during the season is challenging.
“It’s critical for us to understand and pick the proper moments when there’s time to be proactive, to press, to be the best in counter-pressing, and if that’s not feasible, to stay compact and not be outplayed, and those were the moments we had to endure when we lost goals too easy.”
