Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick refused to comment on reports linking him with the Austria national team following his side's 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea on Thursday.
On a night when United fans staged more protests against the Glazer family’s ownership, Rangnick admitted United were “fortunate” to scrape a draw against the Blues at Old Trafford that does little for their hopes of a top-four finish.
United remain sixth in the Premier League table, five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal having played two games more than the Gunners. Chelsea are third as the troubled London club look to secure Champions League football next season.
Marcos Alonso’s 60th-minute volley eventually gave Chelsea a deserved lead, only for Cristiano Ronaldo to spare United’s blushes by firing home within two minutes for his 17th league goal of the season.
“We were fortunate in the first half,” Rangnick said. “We needed some great saves from David [De Gea] again and some last-ditch tackles.
“I thought in the second half we were better. We had more moments when we could get hold of the ball, although we conceded the goal then after 60 minutes.
“I think we showed a good reaction to that goal, scored a brilliant goal ourselves with an amazing assist by Nemanja [Matic] and a great finish by Cristiano.
“I think in the last 20 minutes, it was an open game. They could have scored. We were fortunate when Reece James hit the post.
“But we also had our moments. With Cristiano, we could have scored another one or two goals, but I think overall we have to admit we were fortunate to get that point.
“But the reaction that we showed in the second half was good.”
Ronaldo has scored eight of United’s last nine goals in all competitions, underlining the over-reliance on the veteran star, with Rangnick saying “there has to be a focus on bringing in a couple of new strikers”.
Man United v Chelsea ratings
-
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 7: Really busy first half as Chelsea had nine shots in the first 30 minutes, his best save against Havertz just before half-hour mark and another from the same player soon after. Finally beaten by Alonso’s volley on the hour. Reuters -
Diogo Dalot - 5: Struggled against Alonso and Chelsea’s fleet-heeled attackers. Some promising moments, but this United team have won two in eleven. And that’s a failure. AP -
Victor Lindelof - 6: Busy as the European and world champions swamped United with waves of attacks. Somehow kept Chelsea to one and ended their winning away run. AFP -
Rahpael Varane - 6: Block from James early on. Not found his composure since returning to the team but, like Lindelof, did well to survive the Chelsea onslaught. AP -
Alex Telles - 5: Difficult for him at Arsenal, difficult for him against James and Havertz, who pulled him left and right, but did well to block from another James overlap and shot on 81. Even better challenge and move forward a minute later. AP -
Nemanja Matic - 7: The two defensive midfielders were easily bypassed by the world champions. Did well at the start of the second half beating Havertz to set up a chance. Clever scooped pass to set up Ronaldo goal. Best midfielder in red, which wasn’t saying much. PA -
Scott McTominay - 5: Poor for a team who are 16 points behind on the same stage last season. Overhit a free-kick, dispossessed by Kante which led to James having a 79th minute chance. Must do better. EPA -
Bruno Fernandes - 5: Over-elaborated and lost possession when in front of goal in the first half. Ran back to win the ball and stop a Chelsea attack on 60, but another player who paled when compared to Chelsea’s lot. AP -
Anthony Elanga - 5: Switched to the left wing in the second half. No impact in a game where his side had only 35 per cent of possession and six shots – to Chelsea’s 21. Ran forward with the ball in a late attack, but there was no comparison with Chelsea’s attackers. AFP -
Marcus Rashford - 4: United fans wish it wasn’t like this for the United supporting Mancunian. But it is. Getty -
Cristiano Ronaldo - 8: Shinned a 13th-minute overhead-kick well wide. Super touch and even better finish to level the scores in second half. Has scored eight of United’s last nine goals – for a poor and out of form team. AP -
SUBS: Phil Jones – (On for Matic 79’) N/A. PA -
Juan Mata – (On for Rashford 79’) N/A. AFP Alejandro Garnacho – (On for Elanga 90+1’) N/A. -
CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 6: Bar one header straight into his hands, nothing to do in first half. Looked to be same story in second until Ronaldo suddenly blasted finish into roof of his net. PA -
Reece James - 9: Out in right wingback role and given freedom of Old Trafford to launch attack after attack. Stung De Gea’s hands with early strike and his cross into box lead to Alonso’s goal. Curled left-looted shot off post that deserved to go in as reward for man-of-the-match performance. Getty -
Cesar Azpilicueta - 7: Captain generally had little problems dealing with United’s attack. One comedy slip followed by handball as he lay prone on ground in second half. EPA -
Thiago Silva - 6: Brazilian strolled through opening half against toothless attack. Frustrated at himself for over-hitting ball over defence looking to pick out James run after break. Lost fellow veteran Ronaldo ahead of his goal. AFP -
Antonio Rudiger - 8: Playing for first time since summer departure was announced, German defender sprayed some lovely passes out from the back and looked usual commanding figure. Booked for pulling back Mata. AP -
Marcos Alonso - 7: Gave Chelsea width down the left although it was down other flank where they found more joy for most of game. Struck powerful first-time volley from Havertz headed flick on to put Chelsea in front. EPA -
Jorginho - 7: Allowed time and space to turn and amble forward at times by an opposition badly lacking intensity. Helped Blues control possesion in match they should have won easily. Getty -
N’Golo Kante - 8: Great chance to open scoring from just outside area in first half but side-footed shot straight at keeper. Twice supplied chances for Havertz that attacker failed to finish. Ran show from centre of midfield. AFP -
Mason Mount 7: Made well-timed runs behind United’s defence and flashed some dangerous crosses into box that were crying out for a finish. Dragged shot wide of target just after break and nice backheel set-up chance for James. Reuters -
Timo Werner - 6: Decent turn and strike from tight angle in 6th minute but straight at De Gea and had another shot saved by keeper although would have been disallowed for offside anyway. Inches away from finishing Mount cross early in second half. EPA -
Kai Havertz - 4: Could have had first-half hat-trick. Twice through by Kante but put one shot into side netting and saw the other blocked by keeper. Headed another chance straight at De Gea. Wasted excellent counter-attack opportunity with woeful pass straight to opposition. PA -
SUBS: Romelu Lukaku – (On for Havertz 70’) 5: Former United striker was jeered onto pitch by home fans and every touch was met with same reaction. Did nothing after coming on to worry United anyway. Reuters -
Christian Pulisic – (On for Werner 70’) 5: Similar lack of impact to fellow substitute Lukaku. AP Ruben Loftus-Cheek – (On for Kante 81’) N/A.
The 63-year-old German confirmed he will move into an advisory role at the end of the season with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag recently confirmed as the club's new permanent manager on a three-year deal.
Rangnick may well be juggling his role with a national team job as the PA news agency understands he is considering an offer to become Austria’s head coach.
Asked if he had accepted that job, he said: “Tonight is about our game against Chelsea and I don’t want to speak about anything else.
“Please accept that and respect that, so please only ask questions about tonight’s game.”
Pushed on the Austria role, Rangnick said: “No [I won’t comment on it]. Let us speak about the game.”
While Rangnick cut a relieved figure, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was understandably frustrated after seeing his side fail to turn dominance into victory.
Chelsea failed to score despite having 11 shots in a one-sided opening 45-minute period and blew their lead straight after Alonso’s second-half volley.
“A little bit [frustrated not to win],” he said with a smile. “We were very strong on and off the ball, very dominant on the ball, very aggressive off it.
“A lot of ball wins, a lot of deliveries, a lot of half chances, a lot of spaces we found around the box.
“But unfortunately we lacked precision in the box, a bit of determination to finish it off, even very early in the match, but also throughout the whole match.”
