Manchester United fought back – undefeated after the Solskjær kick-off – VG

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Manchester United’s German manager made six changes and got paid well for that move.

– The whole team performance was much better and it was important to meet the physical requirements. Overall, it was a good performance, Rangnick says after the match.

In Amazon’s studio, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was more skeptical.

– It helps to win. The boss will say that when you win just before New Year’s Eve and after the match against Newcastle, it gives a platform to build on, says Henry – before he continues:

– But today I did not see what I wanted to see when it comes to how they will play. They very often played far and that surprised me. They won and needed it, McTominay was brilliant, but if we ignore that, I do not yet see what the team wants to do with the ball, says Henry.

After Manchester United in practice had decided the match before half an hour had been played, it all ebbed into a rather forgettable second round, and former Premier League player Don Hutchison was among those who did not let themselves be entertained:

– I think it was pretty flat in the second half, goal scorer Scott McTominay admits in a TV 2 broadcast interview.

The Scottish midfielder, whom Henry described as “brilliant”, sent the hosts in the lead with a well-placed shot after eight minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo got a bad touch, but it took advantage of the Scot by burning to and scoring his first Premier League goal of the season.

– I struggled a bit to play today, but it went well, laughs Scott McTominay, who says that he struggled with a sore right foot after the 1-1 match against Newcastle.

Then Jadon Sancho doubled the lead for the occasion after a cheeky one-man performance, although the goal will probably remain as an own goal after changing direction in Ben Mee.

Then it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s turn – after missing a great chance alone with Burnley’s goalkeeper earlier in the match.

Once again, it was Scott McTominay who squeezed in. Wayne Hennessey – who guarded the cage in the absence of corona-infected Nick Pope – saved the attempt, but Cristiano Ronaldo had a jump start on the return and got an easy job pushing the ball into the empty cage.

Shortly afterwards, Aaron Lennon reduced after catching the ball as a result of a bad touch from Eric Bailly. The Burnley striker advanced a few meters and placed the ball in the corner.

It was never exciting at Old Trafford, the day before Sir Alex Ferguson’s 80th birthday, although Burnley put the United defenders in some unpleasant situations on a couple of occasions.

Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst did not take off either:

Manchester United is still undefeated after Ole Gunnar Solskjær had to leave the job after the 1-4 loss to Watford on 20 November.

Michael Carrick led the team to two wins and one draw, while Ralf Rangnick has followed up with three wins and two draws.

– In terms of results, it has had an effect, but in terms of play, I am more uncertain, says national team assistant Brede Hangeland in TV 2’s studio about the development after the Solskjær firing.

– They have met teams far down the table, points out colleague Erik Thorstvedt.

This is what the results look like after Solskjær disappeared:

In the Premier League, the team has picked up ten out of twelve possible points under the German’s leadership. Only in the 1-1 match against Newcastle last has United given points with Rangnick at the helm.

During Solskjær’s last eight games as manager, Manchester United won only two games, played two draws and lost four.

Manchester United took only four points in the last six league games under Solskjær, while they have taken 14 out of 18 possible in the first six games after Solskjær’s departure.

Thursday’s victory means that United are only four points behind Arsenal in fourth place – with one game to spare.

Manchester United’s next opponent is Wolverhampton at Old Trafford on January 3.

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