Ralf Rangnick will assess his squad, which he reportedly thinks is too big, over the coming weeks before the January transfer window opens.
We are sure he can already see the weaknesses from training with the players over the past week, though everyone seems to be happy with the result and performance against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
It’s something to build on but the manager is expected to trim his squad.
According to ESPN, the German coach has identified United’s midfield as an area of concern in his interview with club bosses.
On top of that, Rangnick thinks the squad he inherited is too big.
It goes without saying that Rangnick wouldn’t have got the job if he didn’t impress football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher during his interview following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal.
Rangnick also had an impressive CV on the table that couldn’t go ignored.
Moreover, ESPN claim that Rangnick has urged the club to take a closer look at RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara, Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips as potential midfield targets.
We’ve ran reports on Haidara shortly after Rangnick’s appointment, when the Mali international became the first player to be linked to Ralf’s United.
The club already know about Bellingham after trying to sign him before he left Birmingham City, whereas Phillips is an interesting shout considering he is Leeds through and through.
It is noted that Rangnick mentioned Erling Haaland as a target – but every club will be trying to sign the Norwegian making his signing a bit of a lottery…
One player I could see being moved on in January is Juan Mata because he should be playing top level football on a regular basis.
The Spaniard played well against Young Boys but faded in the second half, which is to be expected from a player who doesn’t have many games under his belt this season.