Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick has three frustrating players confirmed in Southampton draw | Football

Manchester United saw their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League dealt another blow after a 1-1 draw with Southampton on Saturday. Jadon Sancho was a bright spark throughout the showdown at Old Trafford. Yet the Red Devils threw the game away with Che Adams’ goal earning a point for the visitors.

Manchester United had gone into the winter break on a high after victories over Brentford and West Ham.

Yet the Red Devils have struggled for positive results in the short time since.

United were dumped out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough earlier in the month before then slipping to a disappointing 1-1 draw with Burnley on Tuesday night.

And though Rangnick’s team started well against Southampton on Saturday afternoon, they left the stadium with just a point to their name after Adams cancelled out Sancho’s strike.

Express Sport will now take a look at three players who frustrated on yet another disappointing day at the office.

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Harry Maguire

When will United see the best of Harry Maguire again?

On his day, the England international can certainly be one of the best defenders on the planet. The Red Devils knew that when they paid £80million to sign him from Leicester nearly three years ago.

But Maguire has lacked consistency throughout his time at the club and put in another disappointing showing on Saturday.

He should have moved quick to close down Adams for the goal, while he nearly gave away a penalty in the closing stages when he collided with Armando Broja.

Once Victor Lindelof is fully fit and healthy again, it’ll be interesting to see if the Swede becomes Raphael Varane’s regular centre-back partner.

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Scott McTominay

Scott McTominay has long been tipped for the very stop.

Yet the United star continues to blow hot and cold, with consistency something the Scotland international is yet to achieve throughout his spell at the club.

McTominay was, just a few weeks ago, undroppable. He was particularly impressive in the 3-1 win over Burnley and the victory over Brentford.

However, he was anonymous against Southampton and failed to win the midfield battle.

At the age of 25, he’s no longer a youngster. He’s a senior player at Old Trafford and needs to produce more frequently if he’s to fulfil his true potential.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is missing too many chances.

The United star has become something special over the years and is, rightly, recognised as one of the best players of all time.

However, Ronaldo is fluffing his lines far more frequently these days. It was a similar story against Southampton, with the 37-year-old missing an open goal in a chance he’d have netted just a few years ago.

With Mason Greenwood not available for selection, Anthony Martial and Amad both on loan and Edinson Cavani continuing to pick up injuries, United need Ronaldo to rediscover his cutting edge.

If not, a potential exit won’t be such a blow come the summer should the veteran decide to leave Old Trafford for a second time.

Rangnick’s view

After the game, speaking to BeIn Sports, Rangnick gave his thoughts on the proceedings.

“Yes in the last four weeks I agree,” he said when asked if United had squandered too many chances during their recent matches.

“We were really good in the first half. The first half hour we did all the things we’re expected to do, played behind them, bringing them into one vs ones, sprinting duels, playing behind their backline.

“This is how we prepared the goal. It was a brilliant goal in the way we prepared and executed it.

“We had quite a few other of those moments so we should easily have been 3-0 up at half time like at Burnley. But we didn’t.

“At half time we knew would have to be compact and defend but when you concede after two minutes, the players realise ‘oh we are disappointed why is it 1-1 not 3-1 or 4-1 to us’.

“This is what happened again, unfortunately.”

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