“There were some curious referee decisions”-Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick and keeper David de Gea react to Champions League exit


“There were some curious referee decisions”-Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick and keeper David de Gea react to Champions League exit

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick and De Gea

Manchester United
Manchester United

Manchester United were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League yesterday when they lost 1-0 at home and 2-1 on aggregate to Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16. The Red Devils failed to convert their chances and were not given any space by Diego Simeone’s men.

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Manchester United are now left with no trophy to play for this season, after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid. The Red Devils have now gone 5 seasons without a trophy and it looks like it may take a while for the English club to get back to glory days.

The big names in the club have not lived up to their standard, barring a few. Manchester United are currently out of the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, the UEFA Champions League and are sitting 20 points below their main rivals Manchester City in the Premier League.

Renan Lodi’s strike helped Atletico Madrid win the tie yesterday night. The Spanish side were superb defensively and did not allow star striker Cristiano Ronaldo to muster a single shot on target. Manchester United came close to scoring with Anthony Elanga missing from close range. Another opportunity that was presented to the Red Devils was during a set-piece when Raphael Varane’s header was brilliantly saved by Jan Oblak.

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Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick reacts to the Champions League exit:

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick
Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick and goalkeeper David de Gea were visibly upset after the Red Devils were knocked out by Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. The German manager was brutally honest in his post match interview.

Ralf Rangnick said,” We know Atletico are good at defending leads. We had one or two moments in the second half, there was a brilliant save by the goalkeeper. But we were fully aware that it is important that against this team you score the first goal.”

The Manchester United boss added,” For me that was a foul on Elanga. That was the only really dangerous moment, apart from the offside goal that they scored. We defended really well and we were energetic. In the first half, we played the way we wanted to play, with high energy level. Most of the first half took place in their half. But unfortunately we couldn’t convert that energy into goals.” In the second half, it was difficult. It was always interrupted with somebody lying on the floor.”

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Rangnick also said,” The Manchester United boss added,” For me that was a foul on Elanga. That was the only really dangerous moment, apart from the offside goal that they scored. We defended really well and we were energetic. In the first half, we played the way we wanted to play, with high energy level. Most of the first half took place in their half. But unfortunately we couldn’t convert that energy into goals.”

Rangnick lastly added, In the second half, it was difficult. It was always interrupted with somebody lying on the floor.” I think also some curious refereeing decisions. I wouldn’t say they were decisive but he fell for those time wasting antics and the four minutes extra time was a joke.”

Manchester United keeper David de Gea reacts to the Champions League exit:

Manchester United keeper David de Gea
Manchester United keeper David de Gea

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was left frustrated after the Red Devils failed to win the 2nd leg of the Round of 16 tie against Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. The Spanish goalkeeper gave a brutally honest interview after the game as he reacted to the shocking loss.

David de Gea said,” We are really disappointed with the result. It’s difficult to describe in words how we feel in this moment but we did not do enough in both games. They know how to play those games, tight games. They scored the goal and then it was very difficult for us to create chances. We are out of one of the most important competitions so we are sad.”

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The Spanish keeper added,” As soon as they scored the goal, they put the team in front of Oblak. Very defensive team and it’s really difficult to score goals against them but we tried until the end. I don’t want to say anything about the referee. We cannot change it.”

De Gea lastly said,” It is not good enough. It’s hard for us, for the club, for the fans. Where we are at the moment is a difficult situation and we need to keep fighting and keep trying our best. But to be honest it is a tough moment for us right now.”

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