Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has backed up something I previously said on the blog about the upcoming transfer window.
Three or four additions will not be enough, it needs to be five at a minimum when you take into account the number of players who will be leaving when their contracts expire.
On top of that, it has been a tumultuous season at Old Trafford, so it goes without saying that we need some fresh faces in the squad. These players will need to possess not only the talent requited to play for United, but the character to win trophies.
Erik ten Hag is set to be announced as the new manager and he will have a say on the new recruits. United should ask Rangnick to be involved as he played a key role in Jurgen Klopp’s success at Liverpool in recent years.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy, Rangnick has explained just how much United need to rebuild in the summer, while revealing he’s recommended “a couple” of players to the club already.
Here we go, Fab. A link to the exclusive interview: https://t.co/Jwej1EN2UM
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) April 19, 2022
Rangnick also denied the suggestion that the noise around the new managerial appointment has been a factor in United’s poor form.
“I don’t think so, no,” Rangnick said. “The players have to give their very best no matter who the next manager will be, and if he’s announced in one or two or three weeks, I don’t think that this affects the current situation we’re in.
“But yes, of course it’s important to know who will be the new manager, because to start the recruitment process, to find the best possible players only makes sense if you know who will be the manager and how does he want to play.
“There might be a couple of players — and I have already named those players to the board — that independent from formation, from style of football, and independent from a new manager, that could be of interest for a club like United. But in general, if you look at the size of the way the team needs to be rebuilt, I mean, it’s not enough to bring in three or four new players. It will be more, bearing in mind how many players will no longer be here with the contracts running out.”
Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani are all set to leave on free agents when their contracts expire in June.
Nemanja Matic has also informed the club that he will be leaving in the summer, and then there’s Lee Grant seemingly stealing a living at the club. That might seem harsh but what was the point in giving him a new deal?
On strengthening the squad, Rangnick added: “Yes, I think apart from the goalkeeping, we need to make sure that we improve the squad in all areas. To bring in players who really help the team to get better — again, it’s about the profile. What kind of players do we need in order to play whichever kind of football we want to play?”
David de Gea might have teething problems with Ten Hag’s preferred system as he likes to play out from the back. This is not one of De Gea’s strong points and it remains to be seen if the Spaniard remains first choice under the Dutchman, despite being one of United’s best players this season.
“It hasn’t been an issue this season actually, but again, this is also something that needs to be taken into consideration when you know who your manager is,” Rangnick said. “I mean, for me, David has been outstanding since I arrived. But if you look into Manchester City and Liverpool and how they’ve invested in goalkeepers… but again, this is an issue we can only speak about when we know who will be the new manager and how does he want to play.”
Let us know in the comments section who you would like United to sign in Ten Hag’s first transfer window?
