MY ACCOUNT
Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick says he has offered up several suggestions to the club’s hierarchy on how to turn fortunes around at Old Trafford.
The German, 63, watched his Red Devils stumble to a disappointing 1-1 draw with Leicester at the weekend as they lost more ground in the top-four race.
Expected to step back into a consultancy role in summer, speculation is rife regarding who will replace Rangnick in the dugout next season with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag the current favourite.
But the former RB Leipzig sporting director already has one eye on the future — and claims he is constantly making recommendations to those at boardroom level.
Rangnick said: “Manchester City and Liverpool have been built together and recruited over a period of five or six years, all of them under the premise of how the coaches want to play.
“I told the board this is what has to happen here. Whenever the new head coach is clear, it has to be how does he want to play and what kind of players do we need for that?
“Then we come back to DNA, speed, physicality, tempo. What do we need? This team does not lack technical players, it can do with more physicality.
“It takes right decisions and clarity over where you want to go. What kind of players? What kind of manager? Then, in every transfer window, try to get the best possible.
“This is not rocket science. It has to be done and, if that happens, it does not necessarily need three or four years.
“Maybe in two or three transfer windows, then the situation could be different.”
Marcus Rashford was once again omitted from the starting line-up against the Foxes, with midfielder Bruno Fernandes occupying a lone striker role in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Though Rashford was eventually introduced from the bench, he made little impact and Rangnick admitted the 24-year-old England ace is having a tough time of things.
He said: “With Marcus, it is no secret he is not having his best time right now.
“It has to do with rhythm and confidence as well and it’s our job to help him to get this confidence back. That is why I decided to bring him on.
“In the end, he has to do it himself obviously but the only thing we can do is speak to him regularly and tell him what we expect from him and what he should do. The rest has to be done by himself.”
Rashford is without a goal since mid-January and will hope to end that drought when the Red Devils head to struggling Everton on Saturday.
