Ex- Arsenal striker and Premier League legend Ian Wright has conceded he was “baffled” by Ralf Rangnick choosing to substitute Mason Greenwood during Manchester United’s first home defeat by Wolves in over 40 years.
Wright went on to speculate over whether United’s interim manager has enough trust in the 20-year-old academy graduate.
The Red Devils were way off the pace as Bruno Lage’s Wolves side won the key battles in the midfield area to help inspire them to their first league win at Old Trafford since 1980.
Joao Moutinho’s 81st minute strike from the edge of the area was enough to separate the two sides in what was a night to forget for Rangnick’s men, who spurned the chance to make ground in the race for a top-four finish.
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While there were a number of low points throughout the evening from a United perspective, the reception from the home faithful in response to Rangnick’s decision to withdraw Greenwood was particularly damning.
A chorus of boos rung out as the England international was replaced by Bruno Fernandes.
Speaking to Premier League productions, Wright explained how he thought Rangnick had opted for the ‘easy’ decision.
“I think that was a sacrifice because it’s easy to take him off,” Wright claimed.
“You’re not going to take off Cavani or Ronaldo. He’s taken off Greenwood who is someone at the age where he is kind of fearless. We know what he is capable of doing.
“He’s always going to get on the ball and dribble at people. You don’t take that off because he is going to do something at some stage that’s going to create a chance.
“When you consider [Nemanja] Matic and [Scott] McTominay played the whole 90 minutes when they needed something, I am baffled by that.”
The United boss was quick to clarify why he replaced the 20-year-old, insisting he did not want to withdraw one of Scott McTominay or Nemanja Matic, so it was down to Greenwood or Edinson Cavani.
That explanation was not sufficient in the eyes of Wright, who continued to question Rangnick’s decision-making and in-game management.
“I’m quite disappointed with Ralf there with omission about Edinson Cavani or Greenwood,” Wright added.
“In this game, Greenwood was giving more. For Greenwood to be taken off, because Cavani is more experienced and the stature of the player, says to me ‘I don’t trust him enough now’.
“I’m not taking Mason Greenwood off. For him to say: ‘And I just chose Greenwood’ is just taking off the youngster who is doing more.”
Ever since the German’s arrival at Old Trafford, there has been speculation over Rangnick and Greenwood’s relationship.
Eyebrows were raised after his first game at helm, when Rangnick insisted Greenwood must work hard and be deserving of his place in the first-team.
Ian Wright questions Ralf Rangnick’s trust in Mason Greenwood
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