Ahead of his first day on the job tomorrow after an eventual resolution of work permit issues, Ralf Rangnick was in attendance at Old Trafford to watch his new side overcome adversity to beat Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. Although they will have the opportunity to impress the German at closer quarters in training over the next couple of days before facing Crystal Palace on Sunday, the pressure was on the players to prove a point.
It must be admitted that some impressed more than others, with some displaying flaws and others exhibiting potential.
Though not the theoretical standout Portuguese performer given the goals scored by his compatriots, Diogo Dalot really impressed on his first Premier League start in over two years. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has justifiably been critiqued on occasions so far this season, missed out through injury. The door was wide open for Dalot to prove a point, and he did just that.
The solidity he offered down a right side that has often been exposed this season cannot be understated - such solidity undoubtedly came from the more reserved, less rash nature of Dalot’s game compared to that of Wan-Bissaka. Rather than often lunging into tackles prematurely, Dalot showed an ability to assess the danger before making a challenge or attempting to physically restrict his man. On that subject, it must be mentioned that his tackling ability has developed leaps and bounds over his time at the club. His ability in duels has progressed, with aerial aptitude also coming to the forefront (he won all four contested against Arsenal).
Dalot proved very aware of his opposite number at almost all times, constantly in control of his man - many thanks to his noticeable positional awareness. His alertness of danger also proved a key quality, as shown by his intervention in the buildup to United’s second goal having pressed high on his opposition. Including that in the buildup to United's first go-ahead goal, Dalot made a total of eight ball recoveries.
Talking of influencing the first Cristiano Ronaldo goal, Dalot’s pass to Marcus Rashford to unleash the break was a display of genuine quality; there was no sense of panic, with serene composure to slot the ball down the line into the winger's path. Dalot showed control when driving forward, with an ability to retain possession very effectively. By contrast, Wan-Bissaka often holds onto the ball for unnecessary amounts of time, runs into trouble and initiates danger. Dalot offers more on an attacking front, which could be key under Rangnick given his ethos with relation to fast buildup; against Arsenal, he misplaced only eight of his 38 attempted passes.
Reports that figures within club don’t view Dalot as viable competition to Wan-Bissaka are utterly baffling.
It really was a day of the Portuguese-speakers, with Fred another who demonstrated his qualities. For Fred, it wasn't just a one-off - this type of performance has been a recurring theme in recent matches. He proved very defensively aware and absolutely able to suss out danger, as shown by his six ball recoveries and four interceptions against Arsenal. He can never be faulted for his work ethic, but there is growing poise about his high volume approach to matches. As against Chelsea at the weekend, he proved more slightly more disciplined (thus more efficient) in his pressing. One can only imagine the impact Rangnick may have on further improving the pressing aspect of Fred's game.
Fred proved a key point to the United midfield, completing 42 passes against Arsenal, including 14 into the final third. It must be said, the Brazilian is developing on a technical front, with multiple instances of involvement in assured interplay with the likes of Sancho coming to the fore against Arteta's side. Fred's movement was a key asset to the passages of interplay, with his run into the box prior to a classy cut-back crucial to the United equaliser. This quality of movement was also evidenced by his brisk manoeuvre to win the penalty which resulted in the ultimate winning goal.
Fred's midfield partner Scott McTominay would have possibly forced a Simon Cowell red button to have been pushed if he was a contestant on Britain's Got Talent, with very mixed portions of his performance. The negatives came by way of a continually excessive number of passive passes, often killing the tempo by halting forward progress; this is only one aspect that really could put him down in estimations, but Rangnick thrives off fast-paced forward-thinking football. You can see how that may be a mismatch.
No matter, the Scot would likely progress to the next round merely down to his work rate off the ball. McTominay won 14 duels against Arsenal, the most managed by a United player in a single Premier League game so far this season. He also made six tackles, which further proved potential to be moulded into a more deep-lying, defensive midfielder if adaptation was to be within the realms of possibility.
Keeping with the concept of work off the ball, Sancho further built on his recent showings against the North London side. Whilst his work in possession continued to catch the eye, Sancho made seven ball recoveries - the most of any United forward in a Premier League game so far this season. A winger who works both on and off the ball? Rangnick's dream.
Many would say the next two players are a given as players who Rangnick would value, but they have had their respective question marks. First, Ronaldo.
"Pressing this, pressing that."
There have certainly been question marks around United's number seven. However, there were instances today where he busted a gut to close down players or chase a loose ball. In fact, he ran himself into the ground to such an extent that he had to be substituted with a few minutes remaining. He's too much of a professional not to do his bit for the team, with no doubt that he will comply with Rangnick's strategies to as much of an extent as he physically can.
In terms of an audition for the other part of his game, well, let's just leave it at the fact that he scored his 800th and 801st career goals against Arsenal. The first player to ever reach that feat. I don't think Rangnick needs much more proof about his goalscoring ability.
Bruno Fernandes is the other headline name, and you can only imagine the heights he may reach under the German. He is the definition of a workhorse, playing with constant intensity both in and out of possession. There have been critics this season, yet he remains the Premier League's highest creator having created 42 chances so far this term. With his first goal in 15 matches coming against Arsenal, Rangnick will be inheriting a confident, pumped up Fernandes.
Rashford is an interesting one, with phases of brilliance amidst others as a real passenger. He can be guilty of being slightly lazy at times, causing him to disappear in matches. However, in the second half against Arsenal, he started to provide more runs in behind again. He is less natural on the right hand side where he is unable to cut inside as he favours, but persevered to provide an assist for Ronaldo's first goal. Nonetheless, he hasn't completed a match since his return and needs to step up further.
Talking of stepping up, Harry Maguire proved his ability to push out of the defensive line and exert pressure high up on the opposition. His lack of mobility may cause him to be viewed as incapable of intensely applying pressure, though he stepped up into the midfield to intervene on multiple occasions. One time in particular, he pushed into the final third to win the ball back and set his side onto the front foot. That occasion led to the United opening goal, epitomising Maguire's vast technical ability that has been so prevalent in the past. His form has fallen under the microscope, but first impressions of Maguire for Rangnick must have been positive.
Victor Lindelof and Alex Telles also didn't put many feet wrong, both defending firmly to restrict Arsenal.
Rangnick certainly has lots to work with. Some players are aligned his ethos, whilst others require some improvement or adaptation. He can have a big impact on this squad, even over a short period of time - that is guaranteed.
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