Rangnick resolves to fix 'major issues' at United

Ralf Rangnick questioned Manchester United's body language after Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty clinched a "lucky" 1-0 victory at struggling Norwich City on Saturday.

Ronaldo won and converted the second-half spot-kick that gave Rangnick a second successive Premier League victory since he replaced the sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United found it difficult to impose itself for long periods and it took several fine saves from David de Gea to keep it on level terms before Ronaldo's 13th goal since rejoining the club from Juventus in August.

"It was a very intense game, very physical," Rangnick said. "We need to be able to compete on that kind of level. There's still room for improvement in this area.

"The second half was a little bit better but at the end we were lucky to have a clean sheet. It's another clean sheet but still a lot of work to do.

"It's also a question of body language and physicality and this was one of the major issues that we could have done better."

Rangnick's side sat in fifth place in the Premier League, level on points with fourth-place West Ham ahead of the Hammers' Sunday trip to Burnley, as the German aims to haul his team back into the Champions League places.

While United must improve significantly on this mediocre display against the Premier League's bottom club, Rangnick will take heart from successive clean sheets－a stark contrast to the woeful defending seen in the 4-1 loss at Watford that ended Solskjaer's reign.

Rangnick, who kept faith with the team that beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in his first match in charge, wants to introduce a high-tempo pressing style to United.

But after making 11 changes from the midweek Champions League draw with Young Boys, there was a noticeable lack of energy about United at times.

Norwich was without several players after boss Dean Smith hinted at coronavirus concerns in the squad on Friday, but it still matched United stride for stride.

United was inches away from an early lead when Alex Telles' freekick deflected off the Norwich wall and cannoned off the crossbar.

Close contest

While United had the star power and greater resources, there was nothing to separate two misfiring teams in the first half.

Teemu Pukki should have underlined that point when he let the ball escape his control after Lukas Rupp picked out the unmarked Norwich striker six yards from goal.

After a subdued start, Ronaldo wriggled onto Scott McTominay's pass for a fierce drive that Tim Krul pushed away.

Harry Maguire's diving header from Jadon Sancho's cross forced a backpedaling tip-over from Krul.

Pukki threatened soon after the restart with a swift turn and shot that had De Gea at full stretch to save.

Marcus Rashford hadn't scored since the end of October and the United forward was left frustrated again when his low drive rippled into the side-netting.

Rangnick responded to United's lethargic display by sending on Mason Greenwood for Sancho.

There was a scare for United when defender Victor Lindelof was forced off after falling to the turf holding his chest.

Lindelof seemed to have recovered as he walked off and, as ever, it was Ronaldo who was the catalyst as United finally made the breakthrough in the 75th minute.

Challenging for McTominay's cross, Ronaldo was dragged down by Max Aarons and the Portugal striker picked himself up to drill the penalty past Krul.

Pierre Lees-Melou almost grabbed an immediate equalizer but the Norwich substitute's header was clawed away by the inspired De Gea.

The Canaries could feel aggrieved that they didn't earn a point as Billy Gilmour's effort was deflected wide by Eric Bailly's last-ditch block.

Centurion Sterling

Manchester City edged 10-man Wolves 1-0 thanks to Raheem Sterling's controversial winner.

City had fortune on its side to see off Wolves thanks to Sterling's 100th Premier League goal. He is the 32nd player to reach the mark and the eighth-youngest at 27 years old.

Wolves boss Bruno Lage was furious as Raul Jimenez was dismissed for two quick-fire yellow cards before halftime.

The Mexican was booked for a trip on Rodrigo and then sent off for preventing the Spaniard taking a quick freekick.

"The first yellow card is a crazy decision for me, in my opinion. A hard decision to accept," said Lage.

The visitor's anger was compounded by the origin of the winning goal as Joao Moutinho was judged to have handled Bernardo Silva's cross despite the ball appearing to come off the Portuguese midfielder's body onto his upper arm.

Sterling showed no mercy as he coolly slotted home from the spot to bring up his century of Premier League goals.

Chelsea needed late drama at Stamford Bridge to prevent its title challenge stumbling for the fourth time in six games.

Leeds took the lead through a penalty of its own, converted by Raphinha.

Mason Mount leveled for the European champion and order seemed to have been restored when Jorginho slotted home the first of his two spotkicks just before the hour mark.

However, an injury-ravaged Leeds hit back once more when teenager Joe Gelhardt came off the bench to level with his first touch seven minutes from time.

But four minutes into stoppage time a third penalty was awarded for Mateusz Klich's challenge on Antonio Rudiger.

Jorginho has missed a number of high-profile penalties for Italy of late, but is yet to miss for his club this season and converted to keep Chelsea just two points off the top.

"We needed this win desperately, for the belief, for the mood and for the atmosphere," said Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.

AFP