Rangnick says Man United 'fortunate' to draw with Chelsea but tight-lipped on Austria job

Interim manager says he will move into consultancy role at Old Trafford next season when Ten Hag takes over

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Manchester United in their 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday, April 29, 2022. PA

Chelsea's Kai Havertz shoots at goal in the first half. PA

Marcos Alonso volleys home for Chelsea. Getty

Manchester United fans protest against the club owners at Old Trafford. PA

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo blasts home to make it 1-1. PA

Chelsea's Marcos Alonso, right, celebrates with Mason Mount after scoring. Reuters

Chelsea's Kai Havertz grimaces after missing a chance in the first half. AP

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. AFP

United goalkeeper David de Gea saves from Chelsea's Timo Werner before linesman's flag went up for offside. PA

Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo. Getty

United goalkeeper David de Gea saves a Kai Havertz header. AP

United's Cristiano Ronaldo ogoes for the spectacular but the shot would go high and wide. Getty

United's Cristiano Ronaldo on the ground as managers Ralf Rangnick and Thomas Tuchel look on. Reuters

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick refused to comment on reports linking him with the Austria national team following his side's 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea on Thursday.

On a night when United fans staged more protests against the Glazer family’s ownership, Rangnick admitted United were “fortunate” to scrape a draw against the Blues at Old Trafford that does little for their hopes of a top-four finish.

United remain sixth in the Premier League table, five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal having played two games more than the Gunners. Chelsea are third as the troubled London club look to secure Champions League football next season.

Marcos Alonso’s 60th-minute volley eventually gave Chelsea a deserved lead, only for Cristiano Ronaldo to spare United’s blushes by firing home within two minutes for his 17th league goal of the season.

“We were fortunate in the first half,” Rangnick said. “We needed some great saves from David [De Gea] again and some last-ditch tackles.

“I thought in the second half we were better. We had more moments when we could get hold of the ball, although we conceded the goal then after 60 minutes.

“I think we showed a good reaction to that goal, scored a brilliant goal ourselves with an amazing assist by Nemanja [Matic] and a great finish by Cristiano.

“I think in the last 20 minutes, it was an open game. They could have scored. We were fortunate when Reece James hit the post.

“But we also had our moments. With Cristiano, we could have scored another one or two goals, but I think overall we have to admit we were fortunate to get that point.

“But the reaction that we showed in the second half was good.”

Ronaldo has scored eight of United’s last nine goals in all competitions, underlining the over-reliance on the veteran star, with Rangnick saying “there has to be a focus on bringing in a couple of new strikers”.

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The 63-year-old German confirmed he will move into an advisory role at the end of the season with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag recently confirmed as the club's new permanent manager on a three-year deal.

Rangnick may well be juggling his role with a national team job as the PA news agency understands he is considering an offer to become Austria’s head coach.

Asked if he had accepted that job, he said: “Tonight is about our game against Chelsea and I don’t want to speak about anything else.

“Please accept that and respect that, so please only ask questions about tonight’s game.”

Pushed on the Austria role, Rangnick said: “No [I won’t comment on it]. Let us speak about the game.”

While Rangnick cut a relieved figure, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was understandably frustrated after seeing his side fail to turn dominance into victory.

Chelsea failed to score despite having 11 shots in a one-sided opening 45-minute period and blew their lead straight after Alonso’s second-half volley.

“A little bit [frustrated not to win],” he said with a smile. “We were very strong on and off the ball, very dominant on the ball, very aggressive off it.

“A lot of ball wins, a lot of deliveries, a lot of half chances, a lot of spaces we found around the box.

“But unfortunately we lacked precision in the box, a bit of determination to finish it off, even very early in the match, but also throughout the whole match.”