Rangnick’s side were under pressure to perform against the Clarets and duly obliged. They scored three goals inside 31 first-half minutes at Old Trafford and went on to claim three important Premier League points.
A lovely finish by Scott McTominay opened the scoring before Ben Mee deflected in Jadon Sancho’s effort.
Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed his obligatory goal after Wayne Hennessey had tipped another McTominay strike onto the post.
Aaron Lennon pulled a goal back before half-time but United held on to earn Rangnick his third win since his appointment at the end of November.
Rangnick, who replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last month on a deal until the end of the season, initially refused to be drawn into commenting on individual performances but after being pressed on what impressed him, he listed four players.
United’s attack was criticised for being disjointed against Newcastle so Sancho, Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood might be relieved that the former RB Leipzig tactician reserved praise for the quartet.
“It doesn’t make sense to speak about individual players. The whole team performance was a lot better,” Rangnick told Amazon Prime.
“I was also pleased with the performance of our wingers. Jadon did well, especially after he scored. You could tell that improved his confidence level.
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McTominay scored his first goal of the season with a swept finish beyond Hennessey. The United academy graduate has found himself in a deeper role this term.
The Scotland international said: “A lot of the time this season I have been deeper. Last season I could get to the box more.
“I was struggling this morning to play with my right foot but I pulled through it. I am fine. We are all learning an adapting.
“We play for Man Utd, we are dominant and we need to get results.”