Manchester United News: Manager Lambasts Squad For Poor Body Language

After weeks of dealing with postponed games, Manchester United took to the field twice in the final week of the year, but manager Ralf Rangnick told his side to fix their body language before picking up the 3-1 victory over Burnley.

Rangnick vented his frustrations to the media regarding his players’ disposition during their past two games and harshly warned them against it.

“[Newcastle United] did well, we didn't play well, especially in the first half. Therefore, the reaction to what is happening on the pitch is the question: how do we react to this? Do we fight back, do we show them we are a team that believes in ourselves or do we shake our heads and do this and that? These kinds of things only help the other team and do damage our own team,” Rangnick bluntly said as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

The 63-year-old German manager was not the only one who lambasted his side as Manchester United legend-turned-pundit Gary Neville also called out the team after the 1-1 draw against Newcastle United last Sunday, December 27.

Neville, while specifically calling out club leaders Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, claimed that the Red Devils were a “bunch of whinge-bags” due to their incessant complaining to the referees.

20-year-old star striker Mason Greenwood was also name-dropped during Neville’s fiery rant about the team that he played all 19 years of his career with.

With their pride seemingly kept in check by both the interim manager and a club icon, the Red Devils responded well to the public call-outs and dominated Burnley with three goals in the first half before conceding one at the 38th minute.

Central midfielder Scott McTominay smashed home the first goal to kick things off for Manchester United with Jadon Sancho’s strike being ruled an own goal against Burnley before Ronaldo sealed the deal at the 35th minute.

The victory ensured that Manchester United would remain unbeaten under Rangnick, building on the streak started by then-interim manager Michael Carrick after the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in late November.

"After the third goal we scored we gave away one goal, so whenever the ball was in our half there was still some space for improvement but offensively, I agree that was our best performance,” a more upbeat Rangnick told the media after the win.