Good morning Red Devils fans
Ralf Rangnick fears his United side enter tonight’s home Prem clash with Brighton doubting their ability to kill off teams.
The Red Devils have been slated after drawing 1-1 three times in a row despite leading, if you include an FA Cup shootout loss to Middlesbrough.
And interim chief Rangnick believes such frustrating failures have “affected the minds of the players”.
United will return fourth above West Ham should they beat ninth-placed Brighton this evening.
But Rangnick has ruled out catching the top three sides Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Under-fire Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to keep his place up front as Edinson Cavani is still injured and Fred could return in midfield.
Rangnick said: “They say we should have been 3-0 or 4-0 up and all of a sudden it’s 1-1 – it affects the mindset. They are human beings, not robots.”
He added: “It’s important we pick the right moments to be proactive to press. Even if it’s not possible, stay compact and don’t be too easy to be out-played.
“Too easily, some of them (United players) in transitional moments were almost over-anxious.”
Gary Neville defended Southampton boss Ralph Hasenthutl for handing United what he calls the ‘biggest criticism’ professional footballers can face.
Hasenthutl questioned the Red Devils’ work rate in the Saints’ comeback draw at Old Trafford on Saturday.
And club legend Neville told Sky Sports: “If I was a Manchester United player and had that said about me by a respected opposition manager, that would bite deep.”
Finally, United and City target Erling Haaland has been tipped for Real Madrid after claims of a ‘secret meeting’.