RALF RANGNICK has issued an ultimatum to his Manchester United teammates.
Ralf Rangnick believes his United team must rediscover their deadly instinct in front of goal or risk losing their top-four position. United will look to put the disappointment of their FA Cup loss at the hands of Middlesbrough behind them when they face Burnley at Turf Moor tonight.
And the interim manager underlined that his forwards must start converting chances into goals if they are to keep their Champions League aspirations alive.
"Football is also about getting results, being clinical and finishing a game off, and being ruthless in our own interests," he explained. This is exactly what we failed to achieve.
"You have to win a game against a Championship team like Middlesbrough at home when you have 30 to 6 shots on goal and 22 to 3 inside the box."
"However, after conceding the equalizer, we were just not clinical enough with the chances we had."
"We didn't give up a lot of chances, and I think the team has grown and progressed in general, but it doesn't help in the end."
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Ralf Rangnick has issued a warning to Manchester United's Anthony Martial (Image: GETTY)
Despite mounting anger at Old Trafford, Rangnick has only lost once in 11 games since taking charge in early December — although in a very favorable run of circumstances.
That one defeat came against Wolves, the only team in the top half of the Premier League league they have faced.
However, statistics support up his claim that United lack ruthlessness in front of goal.
United have only scored more than one goal three times in 11 games, despite having attacking stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, and, until recently, Mason Greenwood.
A 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, Brentford, and tonight's opponent Burnley were among them.
Under the German, they scored 15 goals in all competitions on 146 shots, with 62 of them on target, hardly the figures of cold-blooded killers.
Rangnick said that fourth place might be the best they can aspire for now that another avenue to trophy has been cut off and they just have the Champions League to look forward to this season.
"Right now, we're fourth in the league, and everyone in the club, including myself, would be pleased if we finished fourth at the conclusion of the season."
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Manchester United has a long and illustrious history (Image: Express)
"We're still in the Champions League, but we're no longer in the FA Cup, so I'm concentrating all of my efforts with my coaching staff on that."
"With the team we have now, it's all about making the most of this season." It is the only thing we can do, and it is something we can accomplish.
"However, if we enhance our performance, we are more likely to achieve that."
After being granted extra time off following international service with Uruguay, Edinson Cavani could sharpen his eye in front of goal at Turf Moor tonight.
However, after testing positive for Covid-19, both Alex Telles and Fred have been ruled out.
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