Ralf Rangnick is set to warn Erik ten Hag about the major issues in the Manchester United squad and indicate to him where investment is needed in the summer.
Interim boss Rangnick was appointed on a short-term deal to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November, however, the German has struggled. He has been unable to implement his high-pressing, attacking tactics on the team for one reason or another and went unbacked in January.
But the insight that the former RB Leipzig boss can provide newly-appointed Ten Hag is priceless and he will be able to tell the Dutchman all of the important details about the Red Devils squad before the now-Ajax manager embarks on his project. And Rangnick is set to warn the Dutchman about United’s issues in the final third.
As revealed on Saturday, Rangnick believes that the club have big problems in the final third despite the impressive goalscoring tally of Cristiano Ronaldo (20). He is also thought to have held conversations with John Murtough about how United’s transfer strategy of trying to find quick fixes for their issues will not help them achieve the club’s long-term goals, especially by attempting to sign big name players that are coming to the end of their career - like Edinson Cavani.
Ten Hag is set to attempt to make use of Marcus Rashford’s versatility in his big to improve the Red Devils’ front line, with £72million summer signing Jadon Sancho also expected to progress and become a key component in his side. Though an out and out no.9 is high on the shopping list for the Old Trafford outfit.
Cavani has been Rangnick’s other striker option this season, but the Uruguayan is out of contract at the end of the season and is set to leave, Mason Greenwood is also unavailable and Anthony Martial has struggled to light up the La Liga since joining Sevilla on loan – indicating that his days may now be numbered at United. Therefore, Ronaldo is Ten Hag’s only entirely-comfortable striker option heading into the summer.
Benfica’s Darwin Nunez has been linked with United of late, but the free-scoring 22-year-old is also attracting interest from all over Europe and may not be willing to move to a side that hasn’t secured Champions League football. The same can’t be said for another target, Harry Kane of Tottenham, as Manchester City are set to sign Erling Haaland instead of the Englishman to solve their goalscoring woes.
Of course, Spurs are keen for Kane to put pen to paper on a new deal in North London but Ten Hag could demand splashing the cash on the striker to ensure he has a world-class talent spearheading his attack for many years to come. He also fits the bill as being a ‘hungry’ player, which Rangnick has made very clear behind the scenes that United need.
He has been vocal to the media and the higher powers at United about how he feels certain players are not meeting the mark for a club that should be competing for trophies. Rangnick will move into a consultancy role upon Ten Hag’s arrival and he could be the driving force behind a mass summer clear-out given that he is entirely aware of who is/isn’t good enough, in his opinion.
