Claudio Ranieri denies reports of Leicester unrest following Manchester United defeat
The defending champions were easily beaten 3-0 at home by Jose Mourinho's United
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Easily beaten 3-0 at home by Manchester United, the defending champions now face the very real prospect of instant demotion as they lie just a point ahead of the bottom three in 16th.
The worsening situation has led to Ranieri openly saying that, if any of the players actually want him sacked, they can go to the chairman but he confronted the question in a more direct way following the loss to United.
“Everybody is frustrated,” the Italian said. “We are unhappy in the dressing room but it is important to react. We were solid and united last season, and it’s the same this season, without the results. But we are ready to fight until the end.
“It’s difficult but I’m used to fight, but also my players are used to fight, because Leicester is used to fight in the last 10 years
“I’m very confident on this… we are together. Last season everything was right for us, this season everything wrong for us, that’s football.”
When asked about Leonardo Ulloa’s situation after the Argentine had issued a transfer request and strike threat, Ranieri said everything is now “normal” between them. “It’s good.”
As regards the performance in the defeat to United, Ranieri said he was happy with how his team played - up until the concession of the two goals, when it became too “easy” for Jose Mourinho’s side.
“We started very well we press very high and close all the space and the match was a good match. But suddenly in two minutes we conceded two goals and it was very very hard.
Last season everything was right for us, this season everything wrong for us, that’s football.
“In the dressing room we spoke about the opportunity to go back to start faster and stronger but they scored the third goal and from there it was very difficult to go back.
“Because they have the quality of champions, they slow the tempo keep the ball and it was too easy for them and difficult for us to press because they move the ball so quickly with one or two touches and it was very difficult.
“When you don’t score it is difficult to win but i am very confident with my strikers. Every time we speak about our strength to be solid and make a good performance. We made a good performance until they scored the two goals.”
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