New Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has named his first starting XI.
United take on Crystal Palace at 2pm in Old Trafford. It will serve as the first time that the German manager will take the reins of the Red Devils, after taking over from previous interim manager Michael Carrick.
While much has been made of Rangnick's preferences for the press and his unwillingness to carry players that are unwilling to tackle, Rangnick has kept the same XI that Carrick put out against Arsenal on Thursday night.
🔴 Ralf Rangnick's Reds! 🔴#MUFC | #MUNCRY
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 5, 2021
"I am very excited," Rangnick told Sky Sports. "We had a busy week, actually. With the late kickoff on Thursday we didn't have that much training time, neither physically nor tactically.
"We had to make the most out of it. I had a few personal conversations with players and groups of players in order to prepare for the game today."
Ralf Rangnick explains his team selection as #MUFC are unchanged v #CPFC
Watch all of the goals just after full-time on Sky Sports App and YouTube 📲 pic.twitter.com/eJ9HDhpJaK— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 5, 2021
Leading up to the game, Rangnick's primary focus has been on control. He explained how he intends to take control of the United side in his first game in charge.
"I do not expect any huge steps in that area," Rangnick said. "It is about energy. You could see that in the game against Arsenal.
"The game had certain twists and changes, and in the end this will be most important today. We need to show energy and joy.
"That we are enjoying what we are doing is what it is all about for me."
Rangnick has named an unchanged side from the one that beat Arsenal during the week. He explained why he has not made any changes.
"We won 3-2, so the team have the experience of that successful game," Rangnick said. "Everybody was fully fit and recovered, so there was no reason to change that."
While the match is not being aired on Irish TV, OTB Sports will have live commentary of all of the action live with Nathan Murphy and Graham Gartland.
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