“We couldn’t believe it” — Murphy and Ian Wright left gobsmacked by Rangnick’s decision in Everton clash

Miracle Nwoke Sun 10 Apr 2022, 8:28 am

"We couldn't believe it" — Murphy and Ian Wright left gobsmacked by Rangnick's decision in Everton clash

Both Danny Murphy and Ian Wright were left ‘gobsmacked’ when Ralf Rangnick decided to take off Marcus Rashford during Manchester United’s clash against Everton.

Man United went into the game against The Toffees hoping to bounce back to winning ways, having played a disappointing 1-1 draw against Leicester City last time out.

The resultant came the opposite of their initial plan after they succumbed to a frustrating 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Marcus Rashford started ahead on Anthony Elanga upfront, which raised a few eyebrows, given the poor form the England international currently finds himself.

However, the 24-year-old was bright in the first half and was the only player who posed as a threat in the first half, having two beautiful attempts on goal.

Midway through the second half, he got replaced by Elanga, despite being one of the best performers on the pitch.

And that left the likes of Murphy and Wright gobsmacked because they thought the Manchester United academy graduate was the only player who was trying to make things happen and to be fair, both pundits were right!

“Today he [Rashford] did not deserve to be taken off,” former England midfielder Murphy said on BBC’s Match of the Day.

“Wrighty and I were gobsmacked when he came off, there were other players on the pitch who weren’t contributing. From minute one he was trying to make things happen.

Ian Wright and Danny Murphy surprised Ralf Rangnick took off Marcus Rashford during the Manchester United clash against Everton

“He was getting himself in central areas and in a game where United were struggling to create, he was the one trying to run in behind with his pace.”

Former Arsenal player, Wright added: “I couldn’t believe it.

“It’s one of those where we always knew he would be up against it with everything he’s done off the field. It gives people fuel to say “you should be concentrating on football”.

“He’s going through a bad patch of form but it happens. The manager hasn’t worked at Manchester United so it will be interesting to see what they do in the summer.”

Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick explained why he decided to start Marcus Rashford and Nemanja Matic ahead of the likes of Anthony Elanga and Paul Pogba against Everton.

On Rashford, the German tactician said: “As always he [Marcus Rashford] trained well that’s why I decided to have him in the starting XI today.”

On Pogba’s decision, Rangnick told MUTV: “I had to choose between him [Matic] and Pogba and I decided to start with Nemanja, as a holding six he’s one of the best players we have in possession of the ball so that’s why I went with him.”

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