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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Daniel Moxon

Man United boss Ralf Rangnick jets off to watch unlikely sport during international break

It's the sort of journey hardcore members of the Barmy Army know well – and now so does the Manchester United manager.

Ralf Rangnick used the international break as an opportunity to jet out of the UK and head to somewhere a little warmer in the month of March. So he headed to Barbados, where he took in a completely different sport to the one he has made a career in.

Just days after his United side crashed out of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, he was watching an entirely different type of Test. Germans aren't known for their cricket, but Rangnick was in the stands at the Kensington Oval, watching the action during day four of the second Test between West Indies and England.

Journalist Anmar Goodridge-Boyce spotted the German in attendance. He was sat in a box alongside Pedro Greaves, director of the Barbados Cricket Association, as he took in the action in the Barbadian sun.

Rangnick was treated to an excellent display of defensive batting from Kraigg Brathwaite, who stood at the crease for an innings lasting more than 11 hours to creep to a score of 160. His incredible display of resilience frustrated England, and left all signs pointing to another draw between the two sides heading into the final day of play.

Jack Leach was the man who eventually removed the stubborn Windies captain, using the third new ball to get that wicket they so desperately needed. It turned ideally past the edge of the bat and smashed into the stumps – the relief among the England players and fans was obvious to see.

But the tourists are staring down the barrel of another frustrating draw due to their inability to remove Brathwaite. England have the advantage heading into day five, but only a spectacular collapse from the hosts' batting order will see them take a series lead.

Meanwhile, Rangnick will be more concerned about his United side following the Red Devils' exit from Europe. A trophyless season is now confirmed, but they still have a fight for a top-four finish on their hands.

United trail Arsenal by four points – which could be seven if the Gunners win their game in hand. Those two sides will face each other in London at the end of April, while Rangnick also has tricky fixtures against the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Leicester City to prepare for.

Plus, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are breathing down their necks, only two points behind. Three victories from their last seven Premier League games is not the sort of form which will give United fans too much hope that they will be playing Champions League football again next season.

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