UNITED STUMBLES INTO NEW YEAR

Manchester United Fall to Wolves 1-0 in Dreadful Display

Ralf Rangnick walks off the pitch following United's 1-0 loss to Wolves on Tuesday. (Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.)

Manchester United lost its first match of 2022 in a frustrating fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday at Old Trafford. Ralf Rangnick put forth a nearly unchanged side after the team's convincing 3-1 home win against Burnley last Thursday, but the performance against Wolves could not have been more different.

"Tonight we struggled," Luke Shaw said. "I didn't feel when I was on the pitch that we were there together."

Sloppy passing, a lack of creativity in the final third, and an overall lack of intensity were all on display as Ragnick's men fell to a 1-0 defeat. United left back Luke Shaw did not hold back with his assessment of the team's performance in a post-match interview with Sky Sports.

"We felt like we were struggling, and it was tough," Shaw said. "We have great quality, and I think sometimes quality isn't enough. We need to bring the intensity, being more aggressive, and we need to bring more motivation. When we step out on that pitch we need to give 100%, everything we've got. I'm not saying not everyone did, but to win these kinds of games we need to be 100% committed ... It's just tough and disappointing."

Shaw's disappointment will surely be matched by Rangnick, who failed to install his attacking brand of high-pressing football consistently since his arrival on December 2. Fans that were hoping for a dramatic "new-manager bounce" have been left disappointed, and many fringe players hoping for a fresh start remain in the periphery.

Midfielder Donny van de Beek, who was left as an unused substitute for the third straight match, can certainly agree with that statement. The Dutchman has only received six minutes of playing time in the Premier League since Rangnick took charge, and he has yet to feature in a significant run of games to prove his ability to the new gaffer.

With a full week to reflect on the defeat and prepare for the next must-win match against Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup, Rangnick should have plenty of time to circle the wagons and help the team rediscover any lost motivation.

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