Following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last week, Michael Carrick has taken interim charge of the side as the club looks to appoint an interim manager until the end of the season.
Former RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick has emerged as the number one target for that position and according to reports, the German’s arrival at Old Trafford is now seen as imminent.
Amid the speculation surrounding Manchester United’s managerial post at the minute, ESPN have compiled a report over the possible candidates to see the side through until the end of the season.
As per the report, the club had initially planned to give Carrick until the middle of December as they sounded out potential candidates but those plans were scrapped when Rangnick impressed in his interview. The former United midfielder was told to prepare for longer but will now take a step back as the club welcomes Rangnick.
Talks were also held with former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde and Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui was contacted, with Rangnick initially distancing himself from the interim job. A breakthrough was, however, reached when United proposed a two-year consultancy role following the managerial stint.
Read more: (Video) “Unfortunately…” – Jurgen Klopp reacts to Ralf Rangnick’s imminent Man Utd move
The exact capacity of Rangnick’s role in the hierarchy next year is still unclear but ESPN have offered some insight into what input he will have on the next permanent manager coming in. As per the report, Rangnick will play a ‘leading role’ in deciding Solskjaer’s permanent successor next year.
Mauricio Pochettino is still seen as the long-term target for the club but with the Argentinian remaining under contract at Paris Saint-Germain until 2023, all options are on the table.
SN’s verdict on Rangnick’s role at United…
The 63-year-old’s appointment definitely represents a switch in thinking from the Manchester United hierarchy. Previously, they have been reluctant to give up responsibility in the football department.
Now, they seem to have relinquished some of their power over the fundamentals, with more knowledgeable people coming to the fore.
Rangnick has an excellent reputation and if there are anyone’s hands you would like to put United’s future in, it would definitely be Rangnick.