
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick would not accept any “excuse” from his players that the club’s manager predicament is a factor in their failure to finish in the top four. The Red Devils went into Saturday’s meeting against Everton in desperate need of a win to keep the pressure on those above them.
Frank Lampard’s side, on the other hand, needed all three points for very different reasons. It came down to who wanted it more in the end, and Everton triumphed.
United failed to trouble Jordan Pickford, as Anthony Gordon’s deflected goal in the first half proved to be the game-winner. With West Ham, Arsenal, and Tottenham yet to play this weekend, United’s prospects of finishing in the top four are hanging by a thread.
United could be six points behind the Champions League positions by the end of the week, with both north London clubs having at least one game in hand. While the main focus on the pitch has been on returning United to the top four, the main topic of conversation around the club has been who will take over as manager next season.
Rangnick, on the other hand, has refused to accept this as an “excuse” for United’s current problems on the field. He stated in a post-match interview, “I don’t think this should be an excuse. Manchester United is our name. There are a lot of international players in our team.”