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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Charlie Parker-Turner

Fred makes Ralf Rangnick claim after "difficult" Ole Gunnar Solskjaer exit

Manchester United midfielder Fred has suggested that he is happy working under Ralf Rangnick despite a replacement for the German set to arrive in the summer.

Fred came off of the bench to score his third goal of the season against Leeds last weekend.

The Red Devils had thrown away a two-goal lead against Marcelo Bielsa’s side when the Brazilian entered the fray in the 67th minute, but three minutes later he blasted home a fierce strike from close range to put his side back ahead.

United won the match 4-2 and climbed into the Champions League spots above West Ham.

Fred came off of the bench to put United back into the lead (AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking after the victory, Fred told ESPN Brasil: “We’re evolving, we’re working. Rangnick is a great coach.

“It’s also difficult to change coaches there in the middle of the season. But we are fitting in, we are working to understand his work. We’re already much better at this.

“And we’re trying to get the win every game. So this is important to us. Today was a great victory, Wednesday we have a big game [vs Atletico Madrid] and we have to stay focused.

“And as I said, it’s keeping your head on straight, step by step, that we’re going to finish the season in our best possible place.”

The arrival of Rangnick has seen the team improve since the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was dismissed following United’s poor start to the season.

Fred was a regular started under Solskjaer but often struggled alongside Scott McTominay in the centre of the park, with criticism being continually aimed at the former Shakhtar Donetsk star.

However, despite Sunday's win, there is a feeling that the former RB Leipzig boss still isn’t getting the very best out of his players, and there have been reports over the past few months of conflict in the dressing room between players and between the squad and staff.

But those broken bridges could be on the mend as United are starting to build some momentum.

Have your say! Who should United appoint as their next permanent manager in the summer? Let us know what you think in the comments below...

Ralf Rangnick will be pleased with how his side responded to throwing away the two-goal lead (Manchester United via Getty Images)

They are unbeaten in the league since their January 3 loss to Wolves and have won their last two games against Leeds and Brighton.

Rio Ferdinand has suggested that the recent winning flurry is due to the good form of Jadon Sancho, who is starting to show signs of the player that earned him his £73million price tag.

The Englishman registered two assists at the weekend and is improving with every performance, giving himself every chance of being a starter at the World Cup for the Three Lions.

Speaking on his Vibe with Five Podcast, Ferdinand said: “For someone like Sancho, who has been searching for a bit of form and consistency, the fact that Mason Greenwood is no longer available and Martial is no longer available.

Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho celebrated together after the former's goal in the win over Leeds (REUTERS/Russell Cheyne)

“There is not that big threat that 'I’m probably not going to play next week' or he’s got a chance to play somebody else.

“He might have been told behind the scenes, I would argue he probably has been told, you’re going to play now, you’re going to start every game.

“Go make it your own shirt, that confidence lift and shift from looking over his shoulder to no I’m here to play is a big difference. I think that is now why we’re seeing what we’re seeing from Sancho right now.”

It remains to be seen whether the Red Devils continue to perform under Rangnick and whether the manager will force the powers above him to rethink whether they need a long-term successor in the summer or not.

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