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Cristiano Ronaldo: Ralf Rangnick explains reason for second-half substitution in Manchester United win at Brentford

Manchester United caretaker boss Ralf Rangnick has defended his decision to replace Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese showed his disappointment at being sent off in his side’s 3-1 win at Brentford.

Goals from Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford bolstered Manchester United’s first four ambitions in a Premier League win in west London on Thursday night.

But it was another less than convincing display from the visitors, as Ronaldo was far from impressed to be substituted with 19 minutes to go.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Ralf Rangnick explains reason for second-half substitution in Manchester United win at Brentford

It took a much better second-half display from United to secure their first league win of 2022, but Rangnick was forced to answer questions about Ronaldo’s reaction to Rashford’s substitution with the visitors leading 2-0 at the stadium community of Brentford. .

“It’s normal – a striker wants to score,” said Rangnick BT Sport. “But he came back from a minor injury and it was important to remember that we have another game to come.

Cristiano Ronaldo was visibly frustrated at being substituted in Manchester Utd’s game against Brentford, but Rangnick insists the change was made in the interests of the team.

“Also after what happened at Villa Park we had to defend the lead this time and it was important that we got back to a back five and although we didn’t keep the clean sheet it was important to make sure nothing else happens. “

Later at the post-match press conference, Rangnick added: “The only reaction I had was, ‘Why me? Why did you take me away? I had to make the decision in the interests of the team and the club. We did the same thing in the 2-0 draw at Villa and we didn’t want to make the same mistake again.

“I understand that Cristiano is ambitious but maybe when he coaches in the future he will make the same decision after 75 minutes.

“I didn’t expect him to hug me after being substituted. I know how the players who score think and I had to make this decision. I have no problem with Cristiano. He was coming back from injury and hadn’t played for a week and a half. We had Rashford and Anthony Martial on the bench, so why not use him? I would make the same decision again.

I didn’t expect him to hug me after being replaced. I know how players who score goals think and I had to make this decision. I have no problem with Cristiano.

Ralf Rangnick on replacing Cristiano Ronaldo

“I’ve been here for six weeks and I’ve never had a problem with Cristiano. We had a discussion before the Villa Cup match about his injury and we agreed not to use him.

“He was available again today and we decided to play him from the start. The most important thing is that we win games and that comes first.”

Anthony Elanga continued his performance at Aston Villa to help United rediscover their mojo. Bruno Fernandes’ influence grew in the game, and he really should have topped off a fine individual performance with a goal to go along with his two assists in stoppage time.

It was the third time Fernandes had provided multiple assists in a Premier League game – since making his debut in the competition in February 2020, no player has done more in the competition.

Yet he left the field still ruining his late defeat, a sign of his standards. That’s the kind of attitude United need to secure a Champions League place – which has to be the bare minimum.

Such a winning mentality was seen in Ronaldo’s reaction to his substitution, but he must recognize the need to contain his disappointment if the collective is to thrive at Old Trafford.

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