With Erik ten Hag now officially the next permanent manager of Manchester United, Ralf Rangnick, who has been serving as interim, will move into a consultancy role. He will be juggling this job with national management, as the German has accepted the role as manager of Austria until 2024.
In an official statement, Rangnick said: “I will take over as national team manager of Austria at the end of the season but will continue my consultancy with [Manchester] United. I’m really looking forward to playing my part in helping United become a real force again.”
Many fans have been left panicking that the German's new role with the Austrian national team would impact his work with United. However, it is expected that Rangnick will still play a big role in United's recruitment.
READ MORE: Ralf Rangnick issues statement confirming Austria and Manchester United roles
But what sort of player will United be looking to recruit? Rangnick said in a press conference that the club could need as many as 10 signings, but with players like Declan Rice being priced out of a move and others like Aurelien Tchouameni wanting to play Champions League football, United may need to get creative in the market.
Rangnick understands this. He said in a press conference recently: "For me, the most important point is recruitment now. It’s not only about identifying those players, it’s about meeting them and convincing them to join this club, even though we will not be playing in the Champions League.”
“My personal opinion is that the club should try to find future top star players and develop them. It’s also very important what Erik [ten Hag] thinks.”
United have had a problem with how they develop players over the past decade. It is a common line of thinking within the club's fanbase that all the players who come to United end up worse for it; either stalling their development or tanking their reputation.
Anthony Martial is a prime example. His stock has fallen almost every single year he has been at the club and, bar a few positive spells, fans will tell you it has been a consistent downward trajectory for a player they once had high hopes for.
Many fans fear the same may happen to Marcus Rashford and there are plenty of other players who fall into the same category. If United are to turn their fortunes around and successfully rebuild the club from the ground up, this has to change.
Rangnick praised Arsenal for how they had operated in the transfer market, with the Gunners making shrewd signings like Martin Odegaard - the right profile of player at the right price. This is what United need to do to solve their problem.
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