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Manchester United have officially confirmed the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as the club's interim manager on a six-month deal. The German coach will also take up a two-year consultancy role at the end of his interim period.
Rangnick has taken over from the sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. According to Fabrizio Romano, Rangnick will be given an enormous amount of responsibility at Old Trafford, even after the end of his deal as interim coach.
The German manager will reportedly have a say in the appointment of Manchester United's next permanent coach as well as the contract renewals of the club's current players.
Ralf Rangnick faces an uphill task at Manchester United
Despite Manchester United enjoying what has unexpectedly been a successful week in terms of results, Ralf Rangnick still has a massive job on his hands. A look at the statistics for the 2021-22 Premier League season shows the Red Devils have had the third-lowest success rate when pressing their opponents.
Over his 30-year coaching career, Rangnick has pioneered geggenpressing. The intense, high-octane, all-action brand of football has been popularised by Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.
Manchester United's recent 1-1 draw against Chelsea highlighted the difference between the two teams. While the Blues pressed as a team, United appeared disjointed and inconsistent while pressing their opponents, with Bruno Fernandes often leading a one-man charge.
With Rangnick set to make changes, here are five Manchester United players who could see reduced playing time under the German coach.
#5 Scott McTominay
Manchester United's double pivot in midfield was a constant point of contention under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. While Fred has turned in a couple of improved performances this week, Scott McTominay had a good game against Chelsea.
Unfortunately, the positive display can't mask the fact that McTominay isn't as mobile as Fred nor is he proactive enough in possession. Rangnick's tactics require his teams to press high up the pitch and move the ball forward.
McTominay is one of Manchester United's own, having come up through the academy. But at 24, he is no longer a youngster. The midfielder's penchant to settle for square passes and limitations in possession could see him dropped for Donny van de Beek or Jesse Lingard. Both of them are waiting on the sidelines.
#4 Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire has been through a lot over the last month, and his situation is unlikely to become any easier under Rangnick. It began with a series of high-profile individual errors against Leicester City, Liverpool and Manchester City that led to United conceding and losing all three games.
To exacerbate matters, the club captain's dismissal during the 4-1 hammering by Watford rang the death knell for Solskjaer's time as Manchester United boss. Rangnick is unlikely to display his predecessor's patience with the world's most expensive defender.
Along with his leadership, Maguire has also been criticised for a rather obvious lack of pace and mobility.
Rangnick usually deploys a high defensive line, with centre-backs pushing all the way up to the halfway line while the team has possession. Maguire and Lindelof do not have Raphael Varane's pace, and could struggle to recover quickly while defending counterattacks.
Under Rangnick, Eric Bailly could be Varane's new defensive partner, or Manchester United might even look to sign a new centre-back alternative.
#3 Aaron Wan-Bissaka
While Aaron Wan-Bissaka isn't a lost cause by any means, Manchester United desperately need a wing-back to offer competition to the England defender.
Diogo Dalot is the only other viable option in the Red Devils' squad at the moment. But the Portuguese player is reportedly unhappy with his lack of playing time this season.
The main argument against Wan-Bissaka is that he is largely the same player that arrived from Crystal Palace for £50 million in June 2019. Excellent in slide tackles and blocks, it is his non-existent attacking output that is the real concern. Wan Bissaka's final ball and delivery into the box leave a lot to be desired.
The right-back has played nearly every minute for Manchester United this season, except when he was suspended in the Champions League. Rangnick might look to change the team's formation or rotate Wan-Bissaka, whose defensive positioning has also come under the scanner.
However, Manchester United fans can expect him to improve as time goes on, as Wan-Bissaka has the pace and strength to thrive in Rangnick's system.
#2 Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial's downfall at Manchester United has been disappointing and inexplicable. The Frenchman enjoyed an excellent 2019-20 season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He was the club's top scorer with 23 strikes; he also provided 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.
At 25, Martial ought to be entering the peak of his powers. Instead, he has made 45 appearances since the start of the 2020-21 campaign, scoring just eight times and registering as many assists. While the numbers are poor, the real area of concern is how lethargic and stagnant Martial's performances have been.
It is no wonder that he has been unable to displace Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood or Edinson Cavani. The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho has only further reduced Martial's opportunities in the playing XI. The forward's low work rate, lack of movement and consistent failure to track back is unlikely to be tolerated by Ralf Rangnick.
Martial is unlikely to break into the playing XI, so Manchester United may have no choice but to sell the player. However, on Martial's current form, the club might struggle to even recover the £45 million they paid for his services.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Despite reports claiming Cristiano Ronaldo was unhappy under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Norwegian's sacking has only complicated Ronaldo's situation at Manchester United.
On Sunday, the Portuguese superstar was benched for the Red Devils' crunch clash against rivals Chelsea. Could this be a sign of things to come?
Manchester United would be foolish to let go of Cristiano Ronaldo. Their Champions League campaign is proof of that. The Red Devils have already qualified for the Round of 16, and have secured top position in their group.
In reality, though, their performances have been deserving of an early elimination. Ronaldo, however, has single-handedly saved Manchester United's skin by scoring in all five of their Champions League games so far, with a total of six strikes. From late winners to last-ditch equalisers, he has done it all.
In the Premier League, though, Ronaldo has scored just once in his last eight games. The Portuguese star will be 37 in a few months, and his low work rate and lack of pressing are already well documented. Ralf Ragnick may choose to rotate and bench Ronaldo in favour of Rashford, Cavani or Greenwood down the middle.
Cristiano Ronaldo might not be as untouchable at United as he once was. The question is whether he would be willing to accept a reduced role.
