Not so fast
Devils have issues as club battles to get Rangnick on board ahead of Arsenal clash
ANEW era is beginning at Manchester United, though even the man at the helm of it cannot be entirely sure when it will start. Ralf Rangnick’s appointment as interim manager was confirmed on Monday morning but whether he will be in the dugout for the visit of Arsenal to Old Trafford later this week is unclear.
Rangnick is awaiting work permit clearance before travelling to Manchester from Germany and must return a negative result from a PCR test on arrival.
That all has to be achieved before Friday’s (4.15am Malaysian time) kickoff in order for the 63-year-old former RB Leipzig head coach to take his place in the dugout.
Even then, Rangnick would have had barely any time to directly prepare for Arsenal’s visit with his new players.
Michael Carrick is prepared to continue in his caretaker role until United’s interim manager is cleared to work in this country.
Rangnick’s first game may only come against
Crystal Palace at Old Trafford this Sunday (10pm).
For all that uncertainty over his actual start date, what is clear is that once Rangnick left United’s Mayfair offices following his meeting with club officials last week, he was the indisputable first-choice to take charge until the end of the season.
United’s decision-makers were left with the impression that Rangnick would be ideally equipped to make the most of the players at his disposal.
That is despite questions over whether appointment “the godfather of gegenpressing” is one suited to some influential members of the squad, particularly the infamously pressreluctant Cristiano Ronaldo.
Though this could be viewed as a departure from the approach taken under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, continuity will be provided by the Carrick and the Norwegian’s coaching staff, who are set to remain in place.
A “small number” of Rangnick’s staff are expected to join them, though sources have
informed The Independent that paperwork on their appointments still needs to be finalised.
Rangnick will also be given funds to add to his squad in January if he assesses areas of weakness. But he has told the United board they have the talent in place already.
United are more hopeful he use his four decades of experience to effect a revolution of training ground routines to improve the existing squad.
Graeme Souness, the former Liverpool midfielder, has however been strongly critical of United’s decision to bring in Rangnick.
“This is the third interim manager since Fergie went. I don’t get it,” Souness told talkSPORT.
“Rangnick’s CV is not one you would go ‘wow’ and doesn’t jump out at you.
“He’s not been super successful. I think he’s won one trophy. That’s not what Man United need right now. Man United need it instantly.
“They need someone to make an impact now. A nice pension for him, 63 years old, it’s lovely work if you can get it. I just don’t get this appointment.”
But United legend Rio Ferdinand said by contrast on Vibe with FIVE: “I’m happy with it, I’ve seen a lot of people disgruntled, a lot of people in the media saying ‘why’s he got it?’
“People keep judging this situation based on Man United 10 years ago. Man United are in a completely different place now, they need to be rebuilt.
“Now they have an opportunity with somebody who has the experience and understanding, and knows the detail behind building not only a team, but a club from the ground up.
“Not that the club needs building, but from a certain point, there’s a DNA, a philosophy, and understanding of what you want to do, and an identity needs to be recreated that fits Man United.
“There’s no better person in the world for me right now who would be able to do all of those things. It’s a big ask, a club of this size.” – The Independent/Express Newspapers