Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick was unhappy with his attacking options following the 1-1 draw with Leicester City on Saturday badly hurt their chances of getting Champions League football for next season.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored to put the visitors ahead during the second period, but even though Fred scored within three minutes, neither team could score the winner.
Rangnick’s team is struggling and are three points in the fourth spot behind Arsenal with two games left; however, the German interim manager stated that they would compete for the top four places despite it being difficult.
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“In the last 15 minutes, we tried to score a goal, but we did not score the late goal in this game,” the coach stated to Sky Sports. “We do not have offensive players, and there was a time when Jesse Lingard was feeling sick.
“As long as it (top four) is possible mathematically, it is possible. It is our job and duty to do our best to finish on the best possible note.”
United is searching for the right manager for their team and has Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag emerging as a top choice, while the team’s weaknesses were evident in the face of Brendan Rodgers’ team.
Toothless United
Without the top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo because of illness, the home team appeared sluggish attacking for most of the first period when they were struggling to establish an attacking rhythm.
Bruno Fernandes, who signed his new contract the last week, was sent into Fred at the end of 27 minutes. However, the Portuguese player could not connect with the ball, and Kasper Schmeichel rescued himself by extending his left foot.
A few minutes later, Leicester had an opportunity to gain the lead, but Iheanacho could not keep the ball near an edge in the field and ended up sending his shot out of bounds. The teams remained locked at 0-0 during the interval.
United was more impressive during the first half of the second half; however, the midfielder Scott McTominay was lucky to remain on the pitch following a savage-looking tackle against James Maddison.
Rangnick brought on Marcus Rashford to replace McTominay and provide a boost to the attacking of the home side.
However, the guests scored the first goal at the end of the first half in the 64th minute, when the United attack collapsed, and Maddison took on the left.
The England international made a superb left-footed cross, and the former Manchester City forward Iheanacho headed over David de Gea, who tried to grab the ball but could not stop it from going out.
Leicester’s lead was only short-lived. However, the information was short-lived, as United was at the same level three minutes later.
Fernandes broke the ball after the hosts could not clean their lines correctly. Schmeichel could not stop the ball from the Portuguese forward before Fred hit the net’s roof.
Leicester had a chance to take the lead.
Inheancho carried the ball over the crossbar from an acute angle. De Gea then produced an impressive fingertip save that thwarted the goal-bound shot by Wesley Fofana.
Leicester continued to be the more dangerous team and found the net with just 10 minutes left when Maddison was able to finish at the back post.
However, the goal was disallowed due to a foul committed caused by Iheanacho against Raphael Varane.
United put on the pressure late in the game but was unable to come up with an answer to win.
