Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has lifted the lid on Ralf Rangnick’s demand to “cut out” negative body language following criticism from Gary Neville.
The interim head coach would have been satisfied to see his side return to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Burnley after a disappointing draw against Newcastle United three days ago.
McTominay was one of the star performers, producing an all-action midfield display and scoring the opener with a 20-yard effort into the bottom corner.
An own goal from Ben Mee and Cristiano Ronaldo ’s close-range finish after McTominay’s effort was tipped onto the post put the game beyond doubt, before Aaron Lennon’s consolation strike late in the first half.
It marked a seismic improvement from the Red Devils after they were accused of lacking energy by their manager against Newcastle, while United legend Neville accused Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo of “whingeing” at their team-mates.
“It’s annoyed me for about two months,” Neville said on Sky Sports on Monday. “It’s devastating when the best players in the team are giving that look and that body language.
“I think there’s something wrong in there. You can’t run off the pitch, and Bruno is whinging all the time.
“Don’t run off at the end of the game, I’m not having that.”
When asked if United had responded in the right way to those remarks, McTominay revealed the squad were working to eradicate negative gestures after a request from Rangnick.
“We are all learning and adapting. We play for Man Utd, we are dominant and we need to get results,” he told Amazon Prime Sport.
“Body language is one thing and the manager has come in and said he wants to cut that out, so that is final. We have taken it on board.”
McTominay was one of the players to provide a response from the game at St James’ Park and the 24-year-old is under no illusions that he and his team-mates must strive to keep improving.
“Probably first-half as a team [best display under Rangnick],” he added, when asked if their performance against Burnley was their best under Rangnick.
“We were a bit flat in the second-half for whatever reason. We need to get that for a full 90 minutes which we haven’t really had this year. But we are learning and adapting.
“The game against Newcastle was difficult and we have to bounce back from that. The manager said we set the record for the most amount of turnovers in the league. We had to keep the ball better.
“Goals help energy. If we bang in two or three at Newcastle it gives the whole team energy. It is so important.
“Now is the time we really start stepping up and doing much, much better. The manager is so demanding and we play for Man Utd, it is what we have to do.”
Man United’s victory ensures Rangnick’s men finish 2021 four points behind fourth-placed Arsenal with a game more to play, although Tottenham can leapfrog them if they win their game in hand.
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