Manchester United have doubts over appointing Erik ten Hag as their new permanent manager after learning that the Ajax boss harbours the same concern as Ralf Rangnick.
Ten Hag has been formally interviewed by Old Trafford chiefs and was the first on their shortlist of four candidates to be quizzed about taking the vacant Red Devils job. The 52-year-old was later followed by rival Mauricio Pochettino, who the players would prefer to be appointed. Within his interview, Ten Hag argued that United are lacking when it comes to fitness, particularly the level required to regularly compete in the latter stages of the Champions League.
As reported by the Independent, the Dutchman put together a 'comprehensive dossier' of the Red Devils' squad and even named a number of transfer targets, including some of the players who have helped Ajax reach the Champions League semi-finals during his five-year tenure. Ten Hag's concern mirrors what interim manager Rangnick was forced to admit following the Red Devils' drab 1-1 draw with Leicester City on Saturday, and something Jose Mourinho pointed out almost four years ago.
Rangnick, speaking post-match, laid bare that United did not possess the "physicality" to compete with Leicester, who have made it to the last eight of the Europa Conference League this season, despite a raft of injuries. "What was obvious in some parts of the game is that we were second best with regards to physicality," the acclaimed German coach explained.
"It was about one-on-one duels. Whenever there was body contact, we were too often second-best and that is something we have to get better at for the rest of this season, but even more so for next season. I just felt we could have been more dynamic, more physical, more aggressive, but we weren't in those moments.
"It has to be a bit in the DNA of a player, to be honest. It's difficult to change, shall I say, a technically great player into a physical, aggressive player. We have a lot of people who are technical players. On a day when we are fluid and in our rhythm, we have shown in the past we can outplay other teams.
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"But today was difficult. Leicester were aggressive and physical in many parts of the game. We had problems with them. It is what it is and it's difficult to change. I don't think it's to do with mindset, it's to do with the DNA of players. This team does not lack technical players, it can do with more physicality.
"I never doubt or question the character of players and so far, from what I have seen in the last couple of weeks and months, I don’t think we have a lack of character." Rangnick, who will take up a consultancy role at Old Trafford upon the end of the current campaign, has long been touted as someone lobbying for Ten Hag's appointment, although has publicly stressed that whoever comes in must be given time to implement their philosophy.
"I told the board this is what has to happen," the 63-year-old revealed. "Whenever the new head coach is clear, it has to be: 'How does he want to play and what kind of players do we need for that?' Then we come back to DNA, speed, physicality, tempo... what do we need? This team does not lack technical players; it can do with more physicality.
"It takes right decisions and where you want to go to; what kind of players, what kind of manager, and then in every transfer window try to get the best possible. This is possible. This is not rocket science. It has to be done, and if that happens, it does not necessarily need three or four years, maybe two or three transfer windows, then the situation could be different."
