Ragnick tried to hug Ronald, who had started the first match after his injury, as he left the field, but one of the best footballers in history did not return his gesture, leaving his hands down and staring absently at him.
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Then he sat down a little to the side of the switch and kept shouting something, shaking his head and scattering his hands. However, Ragnick had a lucky hand, substituting Marcus Rashford added a third goal and secured the victory.
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The German coach then said everything to Ronald. “He kept asking me why I had replaced him. Cristiano was not happy. So I said to him: “Listen, I have to make decisions for the whole team and the club,” Ragnick explained after the final whistle.
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“We were in a similar situation five days ago at Aston Ville, we also led 2-0 (and eventually drew 2: 2) and we didn’t want to make the same mistake. I decided to change the back five and put Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford on the field. I think it was a good decision, “the coach continued.
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“I told him (Ronald): ‘I understand that you are still very ambitious and want to score goals, but maybe in a few years, when you are the head coach, you will make the same decisions and be in the same role as I am now in the 70th minute. “Ragnick revealed.”
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“I did not expect him to hug me. He’s a gunner, he wanted to stay on the field and maybe score a goal, but it was more important to stay compact and have enough pairs of legs and good headers to defend their standard situation. After we scored the third goal, I told him exactly that. I have no problem with Cristian at all, but in a similar situation I would always behave exactly the same, “he added.
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