In a week of reports of unrest in the Man Utd camp, SSN was told of cliques in the dressing room and players struggling to adapt to Ralf Rangnick's methods; Rashford says "I have endless respect" for Rangnick, while Harry Maguire tells his team-mates: "It can't go on like this"
Sunday 9 January 2022 09:51, UK
Marcus Rashford has said he has "endless respect" for Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick and his coaching staff.
In a week of reports of unrest in the Manchester United camp, Sky Sports News was told of cliques in the dressing room and players struggling to adapt to Rangnick's methods
But Rashford, who has scored just three goals this season, has responded to the talk of unrest after the German suffered his first defeat since taking over at United in Monday's 1-0 loss to Wolves.
"We've all been disappointed with recent performances and we've been disappointed with the news coverage questioning our commitment to not only the manager and the coaching staff but the club," wrote Rashford in a post on Twitter.
"I have endless respect for both and I'm looking forward to bettering my game under the staff at Manchester United.
"I'm not sulking, I'm not unhappy. Am I disappointed in some of my recent performances? Of course I am - I'm my own biggest critic.
"It's been a tough start but I'm determined to prove my worth. My dedication and my desire to be here should never be in question. I love this club."
United captain Harry Maguire admits he and his team-mates deserve the criticism that has been coming their way recently, and urged the side to respond to the Wolves defeat with victory against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Monday.
"I've obviously seen a lot of criticism and a lot of is absolutely justified, but for me, with this team, it shouldn't need criticism to motivate players," Maguire said in an interview published on the club's website.
"If players of this quality aren't motivated to play for this club when they pull the shirt on, then there's something wrong.
"From what the fans and ex-players have said, we get it. A lot of it is justified and we all have to take massive responsibility, myself as captain as much as anyone, if not more. We've got to start playing well and winning.
"This team finished second last year and we have a better and bigger squad this year, so we have to show the right attitude.
"We have big players in the team, leaders. I'm sick of repeating myself but it can't continue like this - we need to go on a proper run, starting Monday."
Rangnick responded to the reports at his Friday news conference, saying the squad are "at least trying" to take his ideas on board as he confirmed there were unhappy players in the squad.
Asked if the players are listening to him and buying into his ideas, he said: "They are at least trying, I am sure that they are listening."
Facing questions about a number of the squad being unhappy, Rangnick said this was an inevitability with a squad the size of United's.
"Well, I mean this is not only an issue with a club like Manchester United," he said ahead of Monday's FA Cup third-round clash against Aston Villa.
"If you have that many players and 10 outfield players can play and three being substituted, then of course you have quite a number of players - in our case 12, 13, 14 players who don't even play, or not even being in the squad.
"Then those players are not happy about that situation. It's obvious, it's clear.
"I tend to explain to players every two or three weeks why they are not playing but obviously I cannot do that every game and that is an issue in our team as well as in other clubs."
Some Manchester United players are struggling to adapt to interim manager Ralf Rangnick's methods and doubt whether he is the right man to be in charge at Old Trafford.
There are cliques within the United dressing room, a source has told Sky Sports News, adding that some of the players are finding it difficult to play in Rangnick's 4-2-2-2 formation.
Another source has told Sky Sports News that "they have the players at Manchester United who are ready to play, but they don't have the coach to get the best out of those players".
The same source also stressed that Rangnick's plans were disrupted in December, when the club had to close their Carrington training ground after a Covid outbreak, and that this has had an effect on performances.
