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It looks like Manchester United are set to appoint Ralf Rangnick as their interim coach. Rangnick will leave his role as head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow to sign a six-month contract with Manchester United.
He will also continue to work at the club in a consultancy role for two more years. This is fantastic news for Manchester United and is a welcome twist in the post-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era. Rangnick is famous for developing gegenpressing, a style of pressing that Jurgen Klopp has now become renowned for.
In a way, Tuchel and Klopp are both Rangnick's students. His sides are known for their high attacking output. The German coach also employs zonal marking and geeks out on ways to impove players using data obtained from the sports science department.
Solskjaer's good work at Manchester United deserved a successor such as Rangnick. The 63-year-old prefers a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation. Based on Manchester United's personnel, we believe he is going to with a 4-3-3 formation.
Without further ado, let's take a look at how Manchester United could line up under Ralf Rangnick.
Manchester United Predicted XI under Ralf Rangnick
Goalkeeper - David de Gea
David de Gea has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he deserves to be Manchester United's number 1. Sure, he was displaced by Dean Henderson last season. But the Spanish international has been a man on a mission this term. He has already saved two penalties in the Premier League.
He has also kept Manchester United in games by producing wonderful saves in both the Premier League and the Champions League. De Gea is one of the best shot stoppers in the world and he'd keep his place in the starting XI under Ralf Rangnick.
Right-back - Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Manchester United fans can hope that Rangnick develops the attacking side of Aaron Wan-Bissaka's game. While he is great at his tackles, his positioning leaves a lot to be desired. But these are areas that Rangnick specializes in and this could be a fortuitous turn of events for the young right-back.
Centre-back - Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire has been one of the worst defenders in the Premier League so far this term. But last season, he was one of the best in the English top-flight. So it might just be a matter of time and confidence for the Manchester United captain before he gets back to his best.
Rangnick likes players who can play vertical passes that cut through the lines and Maguire is their best bet at this in the backline.
Centre-back - Raphael Varane
Raphael Varane is set to return from injury by the end of November. He is likely to miss the Chelsea game. Varane is the Red Devils' best centre-back by a country mile and he'll definitely be a regular feature in the backline.
Left-back - Alex Telles
On Manchester United's first-choice left-back Luke Shaw, Ralf Rangnick had this to say last year:
"I think that they could do with a left-back. I know they have Luke Shaw but I'm not so sure if he's still on the same kind of level you need for a club like Manchester United."
Given the terrible form that Shaw has been in, Telles is likely to get the nod over him under Rangnick. It's shape up or ship out time for the Englishman.
Defensive midfielder - Fred
Even that section of the Manchester United fanbase that doesn't believe Fred should be starting every game is starting to recognize the situation for what it is. As things stand, Fred is their best bet in the sweeper role. The Brazilian international is the best presser in the side and that's something which will excite Ralf Rangnick.
Fred is the only Manchester United midfielder who relentlessly hounds opposition players. His presence makes it harder to play through Manchester United. Despite his shortcomings in the ball playing department, Fred is essential to this team.
Without him badgering opponents in midfield, the United backline gets exposed far too easily and their midfielders always seem to be playing catch-up.
Central midfielder - Donny van de Beek
Can Donny van de Beek excel in central midfield for Manchester United? Given that he is an Ajax academy product with tons of potential, there should be no question. Van de Beek has been handed a fresh lease of life following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure. The Dutchman will be raring to impress the new manager.
The 24-year-old is a tactically intelligent player who knows the art of exploiting space. This is a quality that Rangnick will try and teach all Manchester United players. But Van de Beek will have an advantage over the rest as he has played in a similar setup before at Ajax. He is likely to be a starter in Rangnick's setup.
Central midfielder - Bruno Fernandes
No matter who takes over at Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes will be a part of the starting lineup. Such is the quality of the Portuguese international. He is also a workhorse who will put in a shift every time he is out on the pitch. Fernandes is also a leader of men and is always ready to stand up and take responsibility.
He will be crucial to Rangnick's system at Manchester United. Fernandes takes risks but his vertical passing can be world-class at times. The German coach will rely on him to play balls through to his forwards. Fernandes will be given the freedom to roam forward.
A top quality player and individual, Rangnick will cherish having a character such as Fernandes on his side.
Right winger - Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho has been impressive for Manchester United in recent weeks. He has been whipping in some delicious crosses from the right flank. The Englishman's link-up play and understanding with his teammates have improved.
He has been getting into dangerous positions in and around the final third and has been a handful to deal with for defenders thanks to his quick feet and electric pace. Sancho will be asked to improve his contributions on the defensive side of things.
But Rangnick's arrival will be a welcome change for Sancho as well. The 21-year-old will learn a lot from one of the best tacticians in the game. Solskjaer once said that Sancho is a long-term investment as far as Manchester United are concerned. Coaches like Rangnick will ensure that such investments pay dividends.
Left-winger - Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford is another player who will be forced to improve the defensive side of his game. Rashford's pace will be crucial to Manchester United's new high-pressing system under Ralf Rangnick.
The 24-year-old is also at a juncture in his career where he needs to be trained by a tactically proficient coach. Rangnick will provide exactly that. Rashford has immense potential and is already one of the best wingers in the world. Rangnick's entry will make him more of a well-rounded forward.
Centre-forward - Edinson Cavani
Is this a bit unrealistic from where we're standing? Maybe. But Manchester United ought to have learnt by now that Cristiano Ronaldo is not helping them impose themselves on games. Ronaldo's lack of pressing uptop has been detrimental to the Red Devils so far.
Meanwhile, Edinson Cavani is a hard worker and gives it his all every time he is on the pitch. He is always chasing loose balls down and will fit Rangnick's system perfectly. The Uruguayan international will likely alternate with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rangnick will know how to deal with big egos and he will be expected to make decisions that ultimately help the team. This will be one such call.
What will Cristiano Ronaldo's role be?
Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to be used as an impact substitute. We know that at the age of 36, Ronaldo has to conserve his energy for big moments. Given that Cavani is 34-years-old, even he won't be able to play week in and week out.
As a result, Cavani is likely to remain the preferred striker with Ronaldo being brought on at the hour mark when he starts on the bench. On the odd day, Ronaldo will start games but he will need to start pressing because the system doesn't work even if one player decides not to.
