Ralf Rangnick Admits Manchester United Has Not Made Progress, Accuses COVID-19 Of Spoiling Team Plans And Training

Ronaldo and team in Manchester United training session (Twitter @ManUtd)

JAKARTA - Ralf Rangnick admits Manchester United has not made the progress he had hoped for in his first month in charge.

The German is still unbeaten in his four games as caretaker Red Devils after a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Newcastle United at St James' Park three days ago.

Rangnick is preparing United for their home game against Burnley on Friday.

In addition to admitting his team was slow, the 63-year-old coach argued that the COVID-19 outbreak, which had postponed matches against Brentford and Brighton, had ruined the team's plans and training.

"Every coach is ambitious, and there is no difference between other coaches and myself in that regard, wanting to take faster and bigger steps," he said as quoted by Antara from the ESPN website.

"But to do that you have to be able to train and, as you know, we have to shut down Carrington for four days."

"The last three days we are almost back at full strength, but we can't do much in training."

Rangnick still can't get Paul Pogba down, and now they add Bruno Fernandes and Victor Lindelof when they have to host Burnley later.

Fernandes was suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season against Newcastle while Lindelof tested positive for COVID-19.

Eric Bailly, who was allowed to join Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations, has been called up again to the squad. Meanwhile, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial, who were not included in the list of players against Newcastle last year, can now re-enter the squad to face Burnley.