Manchester United interim manager says incoming boss Ralf Rangnick is not in the squad compared to Chelsea

LONDON – Michael Carrick says incoming head coach Ralf Rangnick has had no say on his Manchester United side after a much-changed team earned a draw against Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the most notable absence of a team that has made four changes. Although Chelsea’s dominance of possession soon forced United to step back, the visitors made a remarkable commitment to pressuring the Blues in the upper half.

With Rangnick appointed until the end of the season, all but done – the club hierarchy is still working to secure work permits for the German – it is natural that some will see him He joined this change of approach from Carrick. Indeed, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has suggested on Twitter that Rangnick may even have picked the team.

It was a suggestion that was categorically rejected by Carrick. “That’s not the case,” was his quick reply to reporters after the game.

United face Arsenal in the Premier League on Thursday and it remains to be seen whether there is enough time for Rangnick to address his allegations or even complete his move-out proceedings. “As of now, I have no further news for you,” Carrick said.

“I’m completely focused on the game. I’ve got everything in my head to prepare the boys. I’m sure I’ll be up to date.”

Even if Rangnick didn’t call up Ronaldo, it’s easy to see why the veteran striker was on the bench in the first place; he’s not the fittest of the shooters and that’s what United wanted from the start. Whether their approach will work is questionable, they have 21 shots on target and could have lost 2-1 if Antonio Rudiger hadn’t exploded late in the game. .

It was one of those good opportunities that presented itself to Chelsea as the game progressed but at least from the start there was evidence that Carrick had arranged his team in a way that he thought could bring success without the need ball. That has not always been evident at Old Trafford in recent years.

“We came here with a plan, we know how Chelsea will play,” said the club’s manager. “We were hoping to stop the small passes they passed to Jorginho and [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek across the middle of the field.

“We’re aware of that. A little fresh in the team, two or three changes and a few tweaks and small changes in tactics. That’s just what we decided to do today and We almost succeeded.”

Sancho had United dreamed of a shock victory when he fouled Jorginho in the 50th minute of the previous Chelsea-leaning game. However, the Italian made amends soon after, scoring the home side’s equalizer after Thiago Silva was cut down by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said: “It is unusual, a mistake like this, and conceding a goal like this for us in general, especially against Jorgy. “I think he was affected by the light so he didn’t see the shadow in the end.

“It happens. It takes a lot of courage and character to stay out of the game and take the penalty.”

Two points ahead of Chelsea – as this is bound to happen after so many opportunities – set the stage for an exciting title race. Manchester City are just one point behind league leaders and Liverpool one point further, leading three places above the rest of the Premier League. Considering the emphatic nature of the underlying stats, this feels like Tuchel has dropped two points, who still wants to commend his allegations.

“This game, it’s hard to imagine you can lose it or drop points from here because we’re the better team,” he said. “We are disappointed but we have no regrets. This can happen in football, we know it. It is like this. I told the whole team that I am happy with our team and the way we played.”