Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has labelled Sunday's 4-2 Premier League win over Leeds United as the "perfect response" to off-field dramas.
Senior figures such as Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire have both publicly denied recent rumours of an internal "power struggle" at the club between the latter and Cristiano Ronaldo for the captaincy.
Maguire still dons the captain's armband and opened the scoring at Elland Road in torrid conditions, with Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Anthony Elanga also getting their names on the scoresheet.
Rangnick believes that the three points in the hotly-contested battle was the ideal way to silence the critics, telling reporters: "We knew that it was an important win today. That was the best possible answer the team could give.
"It was perfect with regard to maturity, unity and the best reply that they could give to some articles last week that there was some disruption in the locker room.
"I think a game like this one today you can only win as a team and with the mentality of a team. This was, apart from the three points, the most important thing."
Leeds had levelled through Rodrigo and Raphinha's efforts before conceding to substitutes Fred and Elanga, the latter of whom was hit by a coin thrown from the crowd while celebrating the former's goal.
Ben Knapton
