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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Gary Neville identifies change of mood at Manchester United under Ralf Rangnick

Former club captain Gary Neville believes interim manager Ralf Rangnick is beginning to make progress at Manchester United following Saturday's 1-0 win over West Ham at Old Trafford.

Substitute Marcus Rashford scored for the second game in succession, with a dramatic 93rd minute winner, to help United secure back-to-back wins — moving them back the top-four for the first time since October.

Rashford's late heroics meant that United ended a three-game week with seven points from a possible nine, suggesting that they are beginning to move in the right direction under Rangnick's stewardship after a tricky start.

Considering United had experienced a difficult period over Christmas and New Year, winning just one of their three Premier League outings over the festive period, Neville believes Rangnick has come out of the clashes with Aston Villa, Brentford and West Ham in a much stronger position than he entered them.

Asked if it had been a successful week for Rangnick, Neville told Sky Sports : "A very good week.

"Tough games — I say tough games, but games you think Manchester United would win. But with the way in which they have been playing, you are not quite sure anymore and I think the first half at Brentford, they rode their luck, but then got there in the second half and yesterday [vs West Ham], there was that little bit of something happening sometimes which goes in your favour.

"I think Ralf Rangnick comes out of this week stronger than he started the week because of events that have occurred. I think everyone has seen what is happening and they are backing him and I feel that he feels stronger and more in control than he maybe was a week or two ago.

"The goal in the last minute is a big one. A big one for the club and a big one for the scorer. I think it was really important."

On match-winner Rashford, Neville added: "I think Marcus, in the last couple of months or so, has just looked drained in his face of any energy or spirit and that can't happen. You can have fire, you can have anger, you can have joy - all of those different emotions, but we need emotion, we can't have lack of emotion.

"It was a big moment for him and hopefully that now gives him the confidence to rise against, puff his chest out and do the things that he does because he is an excellent striker, an excellent forward."

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