There are growing fears that new interim boss Ralf Rangnick won’t be in the dugout for Thursday’s home clash with Arsenal when Manchester United look to return to winning ways in the Premier League.
The Gunners are currently ahead of us in the table, so getting a win would be enough to set us on our way – with or without Rangnick as there is a chance he won’t even be in the hotseat to face Crystal Palace on Sunday.
According to the Daily Mail, club staff were told at Carrington on Monday that Rangnick is unlikely to be in charge until the end of the week, while the 63-year-old waits for his permit to be approved.
It is understood that Brexit has led to a delay in these proceedings, although COVID-19 restrictions haven’t made it any easier.
A club spokesman told the Mail: “We are working calmly and carefully to secure a visa for Ralf in line with all relevant regulations and protocols. These are processes which have to be followed and we are doing so as swiftly as possible.”
It’s far from ideal that this delay exists because we want Rangnick to come in as soon as possible to implement his methods. United appeared to press a lot better against Chelsea on Sunday and you’d hope that the coaches have already been in touch with the German.
Moreover, this could see Carrick takeover for at least one more match – maybe two — just when he thought he was finished with an unbeaten record as caretaker boss following a win over Villarreal and a draw at Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Will Carrick take any orders from Rangnick on Thursday night or go about the job himself? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.