Ranieri: We didn’t come here to win Premier League title
Claudio Ranieri was satisfied after Leicester City failed to clinch the Premier League title but again impressed in a 1-1 draw at Manchester United.
A Leicester win at Old Trafford would have given them an unassailable lead over Tottenham at the top of the table, but Ranieri was more than happy after watching his side come from behind to edge them ever closer to glory.
“We didn’t come here to win the title, we came here to make a performance because we knew it was a difficult match,” Ranieri told BBC Sport.
“At the start United was better than us and we didn’t find a solution to give the ball without Jamie Vardy and when we wanted to restart they maintained the ball and it was difficult for us.
“We scored in the right moment and then we got more confidence. I’m very satisfied, I am always satisfied when I see my players play as well as today. After that, you can get a result.”
Leicester were on the rocks in the early stages at Old Trafford, falling behind to Anthony Martial’s goal and needing a fine save from Kasper Schmeichel to stop Jesse Lingard from making it 2-0.
Ranieri, however, insists he was never worried even after United took the lead.
He added: “The performance was good after the first 15 minutes, when we were a little scared. United started very well and it was difficult for us to restart. After the goal we played better and I think the draw is the right result.
“I wasn’t worried because we have very good heart and I knew we would react. The goal maybe gave us more confidence slowly – without Jamie Vardy, it’s difficult for us. Marouane Fellaini kicked Robert Huth and it wasn’t a good show from him.
“For us it was important to show our mentality – the beginning wasn’t good but after that I appreciated our performance.
“I’d like to watch the Tottenham match, but I’m on a flight back from Italy so I might not know the result until I land. For us it’s important to continue to work. I met Louis van Gaal in 1994 – he said to me good luck.”
Ranieri also argued it should have been Wayne Rooney rather than Danny Drinkwater shown a second yellow card late in the game, adding: “It wasn’t [a red card for Drinkwater] in my opinion, but I accept the referee’s decision.
“And when Rooney stopped Demarai Gray on the edge of the box, it was a [second] yellow card.”