Ralf Rangnick got off to a winning start as Manchester United manager on Sunday as his new side secured a narrow 1-0 win over Crystal Palace thanks to a fabulous Fred goal.
The Brazilian was the unlikely hero on 77 minutes as he curled a sublime effort into the top corner, just as it looked like Rangnick’s first match was going to trickle away to a goalless draw.
The Red Devils had been the dominant force in the game, clearly taking up a new style of play under the German, pressing higher up the pitch and much more effectively than anything they have shown in recent months.
However, they were lacking a cutting edge and struggled to create good opportunities, with Palace going from surviving in the first half, to fancying their chances of an upset in the second period.
Just as the Eagles were beginning to spread their wins, Fred clipped them with his excellent goal, laid on by substitute Mason Greenwood, as he found the top corner from the edge of the box.
Manchester United looked like a very different team from the start of the match, with Rangnick clearly getting his philosophy into the players after just one training session with the,.
There was far more pressing than had been seen before the German arrived, with the Red Devils doing their best to win the ball back in the opponent’s half, with Cristiano Ronaldo getting involved and Marcus Rashford doing much more closing down than we have seen from him this season so far.
The Old Trafford faithful were enjoyed the higher energy and faster pace in the opening stanza, but there was not a great deal by way of clear chances for their side, or indeed the visitors.
Ronaldo sent a couple of early efforts wide, Fernandes forced a save from Vicente Guaita midway into the half and Diogo Dalot had a wayward effort just before half-time as an impressive performance didn’t yield anything for Rangnick’s men.
The home side continued to dominate possession in the second half but did not really look any more dangerous as the afternoon wound on and things became more gloomy at Old Trafford. (Text, excluding headline, courtesy Metro Sports)
