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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Nathan Ridley

Ralf Rangnick admits positive mood since Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek exits

Ralf Rangnick has admitted that the mood at Manchester United has improved after Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek left on loan.

Martial joined Sevilla until the end of the season during the January transfer window, later being followed by Van de Beek who made the same move to Everton - and both are flourishing.

Amad also joined Scottish giants Rangers, leading Rangnick to admit the absence of those want-aways has boosted the atmosphere within the squad.

"There were players unhappy, the squad was too big," the Red Devils boss stated in his pre-match news conference ahead of United's clash with Leeds on Sunday.

"Players realised they wouldn't get game time and the atmosphere is better than it used to be a couple of weeks ago.

Join the debate! Will Martial and Van de Beek leave permanently? Let us know your prediction below.

Martial was desperate to leave Man Utd in January (Fran Santiago - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

"Now, for us it's about performing well, showing togetherness on the pitch, winning games and those are the things we can influence."

Martial scored his first goal for Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday, with sporting director Monchi suggesting that the Spanish side have found the right way to handle the hot-and-cold striker, in a thinly-veiled swipe at Rangnick and co.

"In these two weeks he's been here, what I see is happiness," Monchi told The Times. "When a player has the technical, tactical, physical qualities, what you have to do is touch the perfect spot for these qualities to reappear.

"And we think we're capable of finding this spot. Possibly it could mean more affection, more support, more trust; speaking more to him, for his family to feel settled, for him to feel important. There's not one model for every player – everyone has their needs."

Van de Beek shone on his full Everton debut (Getty Images)

And in similar fashion to Martial's start, Van de Beek enjoyed a superb full debut for Everton last Saturday, pulling the strings in the Toffees' 3-0 win.

The Dutchman, who started just four Premier League matches for the Red Devils since joining from Ajax in August 2020, is delighted with the beginning of his loan.

"It's like a new start," Van de Beek told Sky Sports. "This gives me a lot of energy and, you know, if you see the way the club is on the table, they want to go up.

"Me also as a player, I want to go again to show what I can do. I think this combination is good."

As for the players still at United, their focus will be on beating Leeds, who they smashed 5-1 on the opening day of the season.

And interim manager Rangnick has told his men what they must do at Elland Road to collect another three points.

"It's very important [to fight from the start]," the acclaimed German coach added. "Against Brighton, we were struggling in the first half but we have to admit Brighton were doing extremely well.

"They're among the top three teams in terms of possession in the whole league. This only changed in the second half when we took more of a risk and pressed them higher, trying to win balls in their half.

Rangnick says the mood is better at Man Utd (Gareth Copley)

"This will be a similar game against Leeds, although they have a different approach. They have a different style but for us it's important to be on the front foot.

"We have to be more proactive and similar to how we played against Brighton in the second half but it will be a different game.

"So will the games against Atletico Madrid in midweek and Watford next weekend. We have to prepare the team in the best possible way so we can win all three games."

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