Pundit names major handicap hurting Man Utd badly as Ralf Rangnick claims are dismissed
The prospects of Man Utd enjoying a successful end to the season have been put up for serious question after a pundit outlined a major weakness that limits their chances.
The Red Devils face a tricky run of games in what Gary Neville has labelled a defining month in their season. After facing Atletico Madrid, away, in the Champions League they have got Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City coming up. Not only are their Champions League hopes on the line, but so too are their top-four chances.
As it stands, United do currently sit fourth with a four-point cushion to fifth. That buffer was provided on the back of a crazy 4-2 success at Leeds on Sunday.
That said, Arsenal, Tottenham and even West Ham will all be looking to pip the Red Devils to a top-four finish. Furthermore, Atletico Madrid will provide a significant test of their Champions League credentials too. It will certainly make for an interesting run of games.
That said, United are currently in a good moment. Their only loss this calendar year remains at home to Wolves, if you of course discount the exit to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on penalties.
And their last two wins are the perfect response to claims in the media that a number of stars are at loggerheads. Indeed, Red Devils captain Harry Maguire insists the club are “united” and has denied reports of a power struggle with Cristiano Ronaldo.
In light of their win at Leeds, Rangnick called the victory the “perfect response” to claims of in-fighting.
However, pundit Paul Robinson claims that while the win showed strength and character, he insists their inability to keep clean sheets remains a major handicap.
De Gea far too overworked
And the fact that goalkeeper David De Gea is the most worked keeper in the Premier League with 92 saves so far is a highly-worrying statistic.
Asked about claims of in-fighting and their defensive frailties, Robinson dismissed Rangnick’s claims.
“This will not go away,” he told Football Insider.
“They showed a lot of character and they showed a lot of strength. They didn’t look like a team that are disjointed.
“However, they looked to me like a team with defensive problems. There were far too many chances conceded.
“They conceded two at Elland Road and their goalkeeper has made the most saves in the Premier League so far. It’s not what you’d expect from a Manchester United side.
“But they didn’t look like a disjointed team or a team that look like they have internal problems.”
Ronaldo gives Man Utd hope – Robinson
Much has been made about Ronaldo’s situation at Manchester United and whether he causes more issues than is needed.
A born winner, the Portuguese superstar is not someone known to hold his feelings back if he sees a problem.
But rather than suggest Ronaldo is a problem, Robinson is adamant that Ronaldo’s will to win is a good thing.
“The manager’s quashed that with the discussion of the captaincy. Ronaldo’s a leader, whether he’s got the captain’s armband or not,” Robinson added.
“You want players like that in the dressing room, you want 11 leaders. Who wears the armband is at times irrelevant because everyone’s got to lead by example.
“That will die down, that’s been put to bed between now and the end of the season.”
READ MORE: Major Man Utd clearout revealed with 11 players to depart this summer named
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