The Michael Carrick era has come and gone and we're now full steam ahead into Ralf Rangnick season.
The boss takes to the Old Trafford dugout for the first time on Sunday as his Manchester United side prepare to take on Crystal Palace, and unsurprisingly, all eyes were on how the German would look to line up for the first time ever.
The results were... mixed.
The main focus from fans on Twitter was on the midfield, where Fred and Scott McTominay - the infamous McFred combo - remain in the lineup, despite frustrating supporters for weeks on end under former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
We could have a prime Roy Keane and Claude Makélélé and McFred would still play!
— LUKE (@_DAVlES) December 5, 2021
Called oles team starting being ralfs new team from day one. Mcfred starting ? it’s our best lineup they just stopped playing for ole. Nothing funnier though watching the meltdowns..
— Colin Bennett ⚽️????????? (@colinbennet13) December 5, 2021
Mcfred in the starting 11 ??
— Riwannyyyy (@Lil__Boat_) December 5, 2021
McFred still playing ?
— IMTI (@IM7I_99) December 5, 2021
McFred forever pic.twitter.com/mt89HxC0NO
— g string (@gstringutd) December 5, 2021
Speaking of things carrying over from Solskjaer's reign, there was no place for Donny van de Beek.
The Dutchman, who continues to be linked with a move away in January, will to wait a little while for the fresh start he so desperately needs - to the frustration of a swathe of United supporters...
“There’s a lad there called Donny, he’s a bit of a liability and rumour has it he still wets bed” https://t.co/o1cHcV7Qfo
— Josh Morton (@joshmorton4) December 5, 2021
Donny isn't plating but no one isn't gonna mention it because ole is no longer in charge ???
— OlesTrickyReds (@batt_brad) December 5, 2021
McFred again. 3 different coaches and Donny Van de Beek can't catch a break.
— Changamire Dombo?? (@realrozviking) December 5, 2021
Donny on the bench
— Slender man ? (@Ah_l6x) December 5, 2021
Bumnick out
There were also plenty of loud voices bemoaning Rangnick's decision to keep faith in centre-back Harry Maguire.
The Englishman has struggled this year but remains a starter and has kept the captain's armband, much to the disappointment of some Twitter users.
Maguire still with the armband pic.twitter.com/MEkKeTg2ri
— Cry (@xDJVoeq_1) December 5, 2021
Why Is maguire still the captain ??♀️
— •audrey DIOR ⚡️? (@AbimbolaAudrey) December 5, 2021
Generally, the reaction to Rangnick's side was fairly negative, but there's only so much a new boss can do after a few days with the same team that have been so disappointing this year.
With time, perhaps Rangnick will win those sceptics over.
Rangnick has only had one session with the team so there were never going to be major changes for this game. Just be patient, he isn't a clueless idiot like the goblin he's replaced.
— (see bio) (@utdmwb) December 5, 2021
Lineup is almost the same as before. Assuming it’s cuz rangnick hasn’t had time to coach the squad just yet. It’ll change more I’m a week or so. He said so himself.
— ??? (@Llama________) December 5, 2021
So rangnick gone with virtually the same squad as ole ,maybe ole wasn’t as bad as we made out and was just restricted by squad choice ?
— david smith (@staffsred1) December 5, 2021
A new era begins today ?. Ralf Rangnick at the wheel. #mufc pic.twitter.com/DbEGhGLVAN
— Dr. Varies The Four-Eyed©️ (@DrVaries) December 5, 2021
Source : 90min