His half-furrowed brow accompanied attempts to make sense of United’s lacklustre opening 45 minutes against Atletico Madrid, the late pilfering of a first-leg draw and the overall mentality he was seeking to impose on his side.
Then, interviewer Des Kelly turned the topic to the man whose ice-cold finish had squared matters at the halfway point of the tie – Anthony Elanga – and the German’s demeanour changed for the first time. Eyebrows raised, a half-smile and a shrug of the shoulders.
“He’s playing for him as if a dream comes true,” offered Rangnick, “and it’s just joy and fun to watch him play.