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Manchester United Players 'Confused' At Ralf Rangnick Not Allowing Player To Contribute

Manchester United Players 'Confused' At Ralf Rangnick Not Allowing Player To Contribute

Rangnick came in for criticism from some pundits on Sunday and now there is yet more unhappiness in the United camp over the manager.

Manchester United's changing room seems to be leakier than the one your Sunday League team are forced to use on busy weeks.


Just in the past day, since United were embarrassed by local rivals Manchester City, there has been reports that Marcus Rashford wants to leave and that one player is a 'teacher's pet.'

All that after Cristiano Ronaldo's sister liked a post on social media that claimed the forward wasn't injured for the game, and it's hardly the first time stuff has come out from the team, Gary Neville even bemoaned the leaks weeks ago.

And that takes us to the latest installment of United players apparently being unhappy with something, this time it's specifically a Rangnick decision.

According to the Athletic, Juan Mata is set to leave the club this summer, when his contract runs out, but his teammates are 'confused' why the number 10 hasn't played at all under the interim boss.

Mata has spent most of his time on the bench. Image: PA Images
Mata has spent most of his time on the bench. Image: PA Images

The report claims that the 33-year-old is 'training well' and has no fitness problems, which has lead to his teammates not understanding why he hasn't been allowed to contribute.

Mata has only appeared four times this season, although two of them have been since the interim boss took over in December, so he's not getting much less playing time.

The former Chelsea star's only appearances since the German took over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were starting in the Champions League dead rubber against Young Boys and coming on as an extra time substitute in the FA Cup loss to Middlesbrough.

The games under the previous manager this season also came in cups, meaning he has yet to play any part in a Premier League campaign that has hardly made it impossible for someone else to play.

Mata did score his penalty against Boro. Image: PA Images
Mata did score his penalty against Boro. Image: PA Images

Rangnick has tried to impress a system that sees the forward's press more than Solskjaer did, a possible reason for Ronaldo being dropped on previous occasions.

That could also be the reason that Mata hasn't been given a chance in the league, considering he has never really been considered the most agile or quick players.

That said, with Edinson Cavani seemingly permanently missing, Mason Greenwood unavailable for selection, Ronaldo and Rashford out of form and Anthony Martial on loan in Sevilla, it is a surprise Mata hasn't at least had one chance.

Then again, at the moment it also feels like anything that can be used to criticise Rangnick will be used. Expect more and more news to come out of United in the coming months.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United, Premier League, Juan Mata