RALF RANGNICK ADMITS Manchester United will need to perform much better to get anything at Liverpool after Cristiano Ronaldo came to their rescue against Norwich on a day that saw anti-Glazer protests and fans turn on Paul Pogba.
Thousands of supporters protested against the owners ahead of Saturday’s encounter at Old Trafford, where Kieran Dowell and Teemu Pukki goals cancelled out Ronaldo’s first-half brace.
Anti-Glazer chants were joined by those criticising the side as United toiled against the Premier League’s bottom side, with some supporters singing “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” at their players.
But Ronaldo saved the day by completing his hat-trick and securing a 3-2 win, injecting new life into their top-four hopes ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds remain in contention for an unprecedented quadruple after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday and Rangnick knows his side will need to step their level up at Anfield.
“I mean, everybody has seen today’s game,” interim boss Rangnick said. “We all know what team we’re playing on Tuesday.
“They won against Man City today, they’re in the FA Cup final. In the end they might have the chance to win four trophies this season.
“If we play like we played today, it will be very, very difficult to get even a point out of this game and this is what we have to be realistically aware of.
“So, we need to raise our own level and standard. Probably Fred and Scott (McTominay) will not be back, Raphael Varane will also be a tight race for the game on Tuesday. So far he hasn’t trained with the team.
“We have to be aware that the players that we had available today we will drive to Liverpool and just get anything out of that game.
“If possible we need three points. That can happen in football, it has happened before.
“But we have to be realistic, we have to play a lot better if Liverpool is in possession of the ball than we did today.”
Pogba will be one of the main talking points ahead of the trip to Liverpool after his substitution was welcomed by supporters, with some letting him know in no uncertain terms that they are happy for him to leave this summer.
The France international, who is out of contract at the end of the season, cupped his ears to a particularly critical corner as he went down the tunnel.
“I didn’t hear it myself, to be honest,” Rangnick said. “But we were talking about it with my staff in my office in the locker room.
“I think the fans here are amazing, I really do. The support in the stadium today was again great, it couldn’t have been any better.
“I can understand if that the fans are frustrated and disappointed – so are we. Things have stayed, as far as I know, peaceful all the time.
“I don’t think it makes sense to take on and to target any individual person or players because it’s a collective responsibility.
“Even if you look into the past, for me it doesn’t make sense and this is why I will always defend and protect my players.”
Norwich boss Dean Smith was proud of his side’s display at Old Trafford but felt the goals they conceded were “handed on a platter” to Ronaldo-inspired United.
“I’m extremely disappointed with the result but pleased with the performance,” he said after a loss that dented the Canaries’ fading survival hopes.
“You can’t give the goals away that we give against Manchester United. If you concede three goals, you normally lose and unfortunately that did happen.
“But I felt in both boxes we could have been better because we’ve had some really good opportunities on the counter.
“(David) De Gea’s pulled a really good save off at 2-2 as well which could have changed the game.”
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Well done Ulster, great result.
Well done Ulster. A home fixture is deserved at this stage.
Well done ulster but after this result against an average side ulster fans think they’re going to win the world Cup and should have 15 players on the lions, it’s absolutely hilarious
@Michael Oats: what’s with the sour grapes? They got their deserved win and the fans are within their rights to celebrate and dream of big things. The Challenge Cup is not an easy competition to win either, the ruthless needed in the knock out stages is as ferocious as you’d expect and fair dues to Ulster for the win. As for players on the Lions that depends on Gats and what he wants from individuals fitting into HIS team, not the performance of Ulster as a team.
@Michael Oats: Michael, you need to get out a little more. Where did this come from? As. Leinster fan, I cheered them to the finish an celebrated a great performance. It augurs well for the future of both Ulster and Irish rugby. What was it Brendan Behan said about the begrudgers?
@SPQH: ah theres no sour grapes here. I actually like Dan mcfarland as a coach – has been very good everywhere he’s coached – and some of the players are alright club players too tbf. It’s the fans that make them out to be spartan warriors and world beaters after every game they win against poor opposition gets me in fits of laughter every time… On a side note “Gats” You know him personally do ya? Lol
@Michael Oats: you are a very embittered Musterman. I won’t call you a Munster supporter as they are fair-minded.
@Michael Oats: that’s a very odd comment to be making unprompted. Just say well done and ignore the chip on your shoulder
@Trevor Johnston: Munster Abu trev
@Michael Oats: why so bitter? That’s 2 away wins on the trot in England, and Saints are a decent side. It’s a great win and chance of a cup. And a couple of Lions is a possibility, don’t be so odd
@Michael Oats: They probably are the 2nd best province
@Trevor Johnston: he is probably just annoyed that if Ulster won silverware, Munster will be the only province not to have won a competition in the last decade.
@Michael Oats: troll harder
@Joe Vlogs: I rather we didn’t win a second rate trophy tbh. Challenge Cup against what? English teams rolling out second strings. Treviso were in the quarter final and agen were in the last 16, neither of those teams have won a game all year. But go on ulster have your day. Lol
@rugbyanbeer: this is the kind of fan I’m talking about. Hahaha
@Michael Oats: ulster play a great brand of rugby and have been the 2nd best side in the league and in Ireland for a while now. Some of their home grown talent are simply fantastic rugby players. You need to find a different sport if you can’t appreciate how ulster play rugby.
@Michael Oats: a) I’m not from Ulster b) I guess that explains why Munster don’t win anything…they don’t really want to, you know. Saving their tinder for the Rainbow cup or something serious like that.
Congratulations Ulster
Great win and have to say did not look likely at HT. Hope Lowrey learns a lot from that game for he is an exciting prospect. …..but he’s not going to suck in defenders and offload in the tackle very often and running up blind alleys gets him turned over like you would a baby in a cot. His strength is that he’s a space user not a space creator . Get him running off the shoulders of fellas that can take the hit and offload in the tackle and not sure 15 is suited to him…might be worth giving him a protracted run at 10. Played last night like a chap that has started to believe the hype. Some of his decision making was poor.
@Michael Murray: not his best game. Hopefully he will learn.
@Trevor Johnston: …looks every inch a footballer….I’m sure he will. Given he is such a unique package with incredible potential ,his coaches and mentors have a hell of a responsibility to help get the best out of himself and reach his full potential.
@Michael Murray: to be fair he is a 10 playing at 15. He has been impressive in general but these blips will happen
@Dave O Keeffe: I know and that makes it even more important that he’s looked after particularly well.
@Michael Murray: Super talented but because of his size has to be used properly. Has the skills for 10 but I doubt he’d be able for the hits Sexton has taken over the years.
FB would appear to be his best option. Wasn’t great yesterday but any player can have an off day.
After 2 away wins Ulster definitely deserve a home game. Great for Irish rugby if they can pull it off.