Ralf Rangnick had David de Gea to thank once again as Manchester United edged past Aston Villa into the FA Cup fourth round.
Scott McTominay’s first-half header proved decisive to ensure the Red Devils progressed in the competition and set up a home tie with Middlesbrough.
While the midfielder was awarded the man of the match award for his display, Rangnick was left waxing lyrical about De Gea’s display in goal.
‘We have to develop the team into a clean sheet team and that was another one today but still David de Gea was outstanding again for me today,’ he said.
‘I would have wanted him to have less saves in total, I think we had four or five shots on goal but again we can still improve even in that area.’
‘I would have wanted him to have less saves in total, I think we had four or five shots on goal but again we can still improve even in that area.’
The Spaniard has had busier nights in his career but when called into action he stood tall, with one of his best saves denying Matty Cash from a tight angle in the second half.
Rangnick wanted a reaction from his side following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Wolves last time out but United were far from convincing against a dominant Villa.
Marcus Rashford and Victor Lindelof both endured difficult games and Rangnick’s desire to see his team press is still clearly a work in progress.
Asked if his side are progressing though, he replied: ‘Yes. To say that this was a perfect game, nobody would believe that. Of course it was not.
‘We still have quite a few things we can get better at but a clean sheet was important today and we worked together.
‘There are still a lot of things to improve but it is easier to do that with a 1-0 win.
‘Am I happy with the draw against Middlesbrough? Yes, that was the goal today: to try and get through.
‘We knew, from the very moment that we got the draw [against Villa], that there could have been easier draws.
‘But still, we won it. And now, in five days, we play them again in Birmingham. It will be another tough, tough game for us.’