Ralf Rangnick has insisted there is still competition for places at Manchester United despite January departures from the club.
23.01.2022 - 07:09 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Ralf Rangnick is hopeful Marcus Rashford could play a significant role in Manchester United's run-in after his 93rd-minute winner in the Premier League against West Ham.
Rashford was benched by Rangnick last month but emerged to score coolly against Brentford in the 3-1 midweek win and came off the bench again to poach a winner with the last kick to send United up to fourth for the first time since October 16.
United do not play again until February 4 against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup when Rashford is expected to start. The 24-year-old replaced teenager Anthony Elanga on the hour mark against West Ham and could have played his way back into the starting XI for the next Premier League match at Burnley on February 8.
"He's one of the top strikers in England," Rangnick said. "He's an England international who regularly played in the European Championship, we know the qualities he has.
"He has almost everything a modern striker needs. He's got the pace, skills, he's got the size and physicality of a striker and in the end, it's all about confidence for strikers and I'm pretty sure those two goals will have raised the level of confidence with Marcus and now it's about taking steps, it's about continuity now.
"I think he can play a very important role for the rest of the season for us."
Tottenham or Arsenal could leapfrog United if they win their fixture on Sunday but United finally won successive games under Rangnick to break a pattern of winning every other game.
Rangnick threw on Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial after Rashford came on and the trio were involved in the only goal.
"Stoppage-time is also part of the time you're playing," Rangnick explained. "So, of course, to say I was convinced we would score that goal in
Ralf Rangnick has insisted there is still competition for places at Manchester United despite January departures from the club.
Manchester United passed on the chance to sign Denis Zakaria last month, a decision they may well regret based on the midfielder's Juventus debut.
Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui has called on on-loan Manchester United striker Anthony Martial to do more following his debut for the Spanish club against Osasuna on Saturday evening.
Donny van de Beek will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Everton after sealing a deadline day move from Manchester United.
Everton have officially announced Donny van de Beek has joined the club on loan from Manchester United.
Manchester United legend Bryan Robson believes Anthony Elanga's emergence as a starter for Ralf Rangnick has had a positive impact on Marcus Rashford.
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright believes Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction to being substituted in Manchester United's 3-1 win over Brentford last week has the potential to harm his reputation.
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed supporters are his 'motivation' to play football.
Anthony Martial has declared he is happy to play anywhere for Sevilla following his loan move from Manchester United.
Sevilla have officially announced Anthony Martial has joined the club on loan from Manchester United.
Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford has laid down the gauntlet after his match-winning goal against West Ham.
Ralf Rangnick may have unlocked a new dimension to Cristiano Ronaldo's game in the twilight of the forward's career.
Manchester United fans appear bullish about the club’s top four chances regardless of how the remainder of the January transfer window goes.
Former Manchester United loanee Garth Crooks has urged interim manager Ralf Rangnick to not "pander to the whims" of Cristiano Ronaldo, instead telling him to make the most of everyone within his squad.
Ralf Rangnick said Harry Maguire played 'like a captain' in Manchester United's heart-stopping win over West Ham.
Former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy believes the introduction of Marcus Rashford from the bench was the driving force behind Manchester United's 1-0 win over West Ham.
Former Manchester United centre-back Jaap Stam has warned interim manager Ralf Rangnick that he faces something of a challenge in his attempts to win the trust of the club's most senior players.
A number of Premier League stars were pictured at Manchester Airport on Saturday night as they prepared for some downtime over the upcoming international break.
Ralf Rangnick believes Manchester United still need to improve when in possession of the ball despite beating West Ham on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United's interim manager Ralf Rangnick has been praised for his substitutions during his side's 1-0 win over West Ham.