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Manchester United news: Ralf Rangnick encourages Red Devils to take 'next step' following poor form

Ralf Rangnick applauds Cristiano Ronaldo during Manchester United vs Burnley

Three consecutive draws have seen Manchester United drop to fifth in the Premier League and crash out of the FA Cup.

While the Red Devils may have only lost once under Ralf Rangnick's tenure, their form has left plenty of room for improvement.

The defence has certainly improved from their shaky start to the season, but lapses of concentration have cost them dearly in recent weeks.

In fact, Manchester United's last three games have all followed a similar pattern - taking a first half lead before conceding in the second and settling for a 1-1 draw.

Harry Maguire looks on frustrated as Manchester United draw with Southampton

The first of the three stalemates came against Middlesbrough in the FA cup, with the Teeside outfit going on to win via penalties.

Two further draws followed in the league, with second half collapses against Burnley and Southampton costing United four vital points in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

While performances have certainly improved under new management, United for one reason or another can't seem to see games off, and it's an alarming trait Rangnick is eager to fix.

Speaking ahead of United's Premier League clash with Brighton, the 63-year-old said, "
"The situation is pretty clear. In 11 out of 13 games since I arrived we scored the first goal and we were 1-0 up - but we didn't win all of them.
"Especially in the last three games it was very sad that we didn't win those games. This cost us four points in the league and the next round in the cup."
Rangnick also praised his players for the improved performances, but encouraged his side to be more switched on after the half time break.
"The players understand and feel how and why we are doing a good job and now it's about doing that sustainably for an entire game and this is exactly what our next step is that we have to take.
"The first halves in the last couple of weeks have been really good, very good. I'm more than happy with the performance that we had in the first half.
"We didn't concede a single goal the last weeks in the first half, but the next step is to raise our level and to stay focused physically, mentally, tactically, we just gave away those goals too easily.
"Look at all those goals that we conceded in the second half, it was just too easy and it was also our own mistakes that we made to allow the other teams to score.
"Obviously when you're 1-0 up and in three consecutive games concede an equaliser…this also affects the mind of the players.
"That it affects also the mindset of players is obvious, they are still human beings. They are not robots."
Marcus Rashford endured a torrid 2021 in football
The Red Devils will be looking to put Rangnick's words into action during Tuesday's rearranged clash against Brighton.
A win against the Seagulls will lift United back into the top four, but with Arsenal and Tottenham both boasting games in hand, it's no certainty that they'll remain there.

READ MORE: Manchester City 'deserve to win the Champions League', says Joao Cancelo

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