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Former England stars Ian Wright and Danny Murphy were left ‘gobsmacked’ by Ralf Rangnick’s decision to sub off Marcus Rashford during Manchester United’s defeat to Everton.
United’s dismal season suffered another blow on Saturday as Rangnick’s side were beaten 1-0 by Premier League relegation-battlers Everton.
Everton went into the game sitting just one point above the drop zone but inflicted a painful defeat on Manchester United thanks to Anthony Gordon’s first-half goal.
While the result significantly boosted Everton’s survival hopes, it damaged United’s chances of finishing in the top four and securing Champions League qualification.
As the Red Devils chased the game after half-time, Rangnick decided to replace Rashford with Anthony Elanga, but neither Wright or Murphy could understand the move.
Rashford has endured a miserable season, with his poor form resulting in the 24-year-old being dropped from the last England squad, but he was one of the more positive players for United at Goodison.
‘Today he did not deserve to be taken off,’ former England midfielder Murphy said on BBC’s Match of the Day.
‘Wrighty and I were gobsmacked when he came off, there were other players on the pitch who weren’t contributing. From minute one he was trying to make things happen.
‘He was getting himself in central areas and in a game where United were struggling to create, he was the one trying to run in behind with his pace.’
Arsenal legend Wright added: ‘I couldn’t believe it.
‘It’s one of those where we always knew he would be up against it with everything he’s done off the field. It gives people fuel to say “you should be concentrating on football”.
‘He’s going through a bad patch of form but it happens. The manager hasn’t worked at Manchester United so it will be interesting to see what they do in the summer.’
Everton boss Lampard, meanwhile, hailed his side’s fighting spirit after they moved four points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with a hard-fought win over United.
‘It feels really good,’ the former Chelsea manager said. ‘Big win, big day. The reality of our position is clear, you could feel that in the stadium.
‘The fighting spirit and qualities that we showed are big for us. We need to replicate that. If we carry on in the same vein, we’re confident.
‘It was important the performance went that way today to show the players know how to dig in and win games.
‘But I’m not sitting here saying everything’s great and we’re fine. We have to go again with the same attitude and get the points we need to stay up.’
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Source: Metro Sport
