Rangnick believes only two players can handle pressure when Man Utd fall behind

Ralf Rangnick reportedly feels only Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay are displaying the qualities needed to help Manchester United overcome problems in matches when things aren’t going their way.

McTominay played the full 90 minutes of United’s 4-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City on Sunday while Shaw missed the match after testing positive for coronavirus.

United’s players were accused of giving up in the second half by the likes of Roy Keane and Gary Neville as City enjoyed 92 per cent possession in the final 15 minutes.

According to ESPN, Rangnick and his coaching staff have been left ‘alarmed’ by a lack of ability to overcome adversity within the squad since taking over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United’s defeat to City was only their second in 18 matches under the German boss but the manner of their displays have been far from convincing.

Five times this season United have surrendered the lead in games in which they have gone on to draw with the team struggling to see out matches when going ahead and having to settle for a point.

Rangnick and his staff are said to be concerned the majority of the group get distracted by mistakes which can hinder their performances or allow their frustrations to impact their ability to stay focused until the final whistle.

However, midfielder McTominay and defender Shaw do seem to be in Rangnick’s good books with the 63-year-old knowing he can rely on them to show the character and leadership qualities on the pitch to turn things around when it gets difficult.

United are far from guaranteed a top-four finish at present and sit fifth, one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal, but have played three more games than the Gunners.

McTominay addressed Neville and Keane’s criticisms that the players ‘gave up’ directly after the defeat at the Etihad.

‘From my point of view, on the pitch, it’s hard to see what’s going on around you but if that’s what people are saying then so be it,’ he said.

‘They’re all entitled to their own opinion but, for myself, it’s incredibly disappointing if people think that.

‘I’ll have to watch it back and see body language and things like that but, for myself, it hurts. If you give a team like that all the time in the world in the second half, you’re gonna get punished. It’s as simple as that.’

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