The remarkable post-Palace stat that proves Rangnick’s influence is already paying dividends for Man United

A head-turning statistic has come to the fore online this evening, aptly highlighting the immediate influence of new Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick.

Fred’s strike decisive

The Red Devils were back in action earlier on Sunday, welcoming Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace to Old Trafford for a Premier League showdown.

The buzz ahead of kick-off in Manchester of course surrounded the aforementioned Rangnick, who, on the back of Michael Carrick’s impressive interim stint coming to a close, was overseeing his first outing as United boss.

And, when all was said and done, the Rangnick era got off to the perfect start.

A solitary goal ultimately proved enough to guide the hosts to all three points on the day, as Fred, influential throughout proceedings, bent home a sumptuous right-footed effort from 20 yards:

What. A. Hit.

Fred delivered the goods for Rangnick’s United ☄️

(via @NBCSportsSoccer)pic.twitter.com/HxV0BSFWcA

— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 5, 2021

Rangnick ball

Whilst the result, in the end, may not have proven all that convincing from a Manchester United perspective on Sunday, many were nevertheless quick to point to the level of performance as cause for optimism.

The Red Devils, for the first time in some time, looked in full control throughout the vast majority of the 90 minutes, as the likes of goalscorer Fred, Alex Telles and Diogo Dalot all impressed.

Such positive signs will, of course, rightly be attributed to the influence of the new man on the touchline at Old Trafford.

And, as alluded to above, on the back of the action coming to a close in Manchester on Sunday, an altogether head-turning statistic has surfaced, highlighting perfectly just what an immediate impact Rangnick has truly had on his new side’s tactical setup.

As per statisticians Opta, Manchester United won the ball from Crystal Palace in the final third on no fewer than 12 occasions today. This marks at least five times more than they had managed in any other Premier League fixture to this point in the campaign.

12 – Man Utd won possession in the final third 12 times against Crystal Palace today, at least five more occasions than they managed in any other Premier League game this season. Ethos. pic.twitter.com/pILc0I9K0G

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 5, 2021

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This article was edited by
Josh Barker.