YOU might barely have heard of him, but Manchester United have agreed a deal for Ralf Rangnick to become their interim manager for six months.
The German, who is a proponent of the gengenpress, is currently heads of sports development at Lokomotiv Moscow and he inspired Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.
That means the club have bought themselves six months to find a replacement permanent manager with Brendan Rodgers and Mauricio Pochettino front runners to take over.
Paris Saint-Germain have been irked by reports the former Spurs manager could head to Old Trafford and have blocked an approach.
United have now put any move for Poch, 49, on hold until at least the summer, but the Argentinian is still keen on the Red Devils.
Brendan Rodgers remains in the running, but United will have to stump £8million to prise him away from Leicester City.
In the meantime, former Barcelona, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao manager Valverde remains a popular option to become United's interim manager.
The Spaniard, 57, has been out of work since leaving the Nou Camp last year, when he was replaced by doomed Ronald Koeman.
And Man Utd legend Peter Schmeichel wants to see his former team-mate Steve Bruce take temporary charge at the Theatre of Dreams.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland has been urged to join rivals Liverpool over Manchester United or Chelsea.
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- Justin Lawrence
COME ON RON
Aaron Ramsdale wants Cristiano Ronaldo to be at his best when Arsenal face Manchester United.
Playing against Ronaldo is a dream come true for Ramsdale and he wants the United attacker to give it his all so he can test his goalkeeping skills.
He said: “I’d never thought I’d play against Ronaldo, but I really hope he’s on it against us because it gives me a chance to test myself.
"As much as you want to go somewhere like that (Old Trafford) there’s no better feeling than getting on top of someone and saying I’ve had a full-on battle with Ronaldo.
- Justin Lawrence
‘NOT GOOD NEWS’
Jurgen Klopp has praised Manchester United’s appointment of Ralf Rangnick by hailing him as an “organised and experienced coach”.
Klopp, whose managerial style was inspired by Rangnick, insists it is “not good news” for other Premier League clubs that the German has arrived in England.
When asked about Rangnick’s arrival, he said: “Unfortunately a good coach is coming to England, to Manchester United!
“He’s a really experienced manager, built two clubs from nowhere.
“Man United will be organised on the pitch. That’s obviously not good news for other teams.”
- Justin Lawrence
TOO HARSH
Marcus Rashford has blasted Manchester United fans for being harsh on ex-boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Solskjaer was given the boot after a series of poor results which didn't sit well with the United faifthful.
And now Rashford has hit out at the beleagured fans, claiming that Solskjaer wasn't to blame for United's dismal displays.
Instead, Rashford reckons the Red Devils loyalists should be mad at the players.
He told the BBC: "Ole is Manchester United at heart, nobody could ever say that he is not.
"For me, the respect that he deserves is huge, not just from us [the players], but the fans as well.
I mention when Bruno [Fernandes] was on the pitch, telling the fans it is not just him [Solskjaer], it's all of us… that's important as well.
"I feel like fans, sometimes, blame the manager. The manager can't play for us. He can set us up in the best way that he thinks possible and our job is to do those instructions and do what we're good at as well, and try and win games.
"It didn't happen for us in that game but it is not right to blame the manager."
- Justin Lawrence
WRECK-IT RALF
Manchester United target Ralf Rangnick is a ‘merchant’ who only cares about money according to the former Lokomotiv Moscow president.
Rangnick, 63, is set to be appointed Man Utd‘s new interim manager following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earlier this week, according to reports.
But former Lokomotiv Moscow president Nikolai Naumov has accused Rangnick of not ‘caring about football’ and argues that he is only interested in money.
In a sensational rant to Match TV, Naumov claimed: “It’s not about Manchester. For Rangnick, this is no escape, betrayal, or disgrace. Rangnick is a merchant.
“He absolutely does not care about football, because he only does business around him.
“And the more countries, leagues and football clubs he covers, the more he will earn.
“He’s absolutely indifferent to Lokomotiv. He did not come here to raise football, but to earn money.
“Now he was offered money elsewhere, and he and his company will go to United.”
- Justin Lawrence
GIVE HIM A RANG
Incoming Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick was deemed the perfect man for the job because he is the OPPOSITE of sacked boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 63-year-old was first approached by Red Devils football director John Murtough following the 2-0 home defeat to rivals Manchester City earlier this month.
But, as reported by The Athletic, direct negotiations did not begin until after Solskjaer's future had been decided by the 4-1 defeat to Watford.
Rangnick reportedly stuck out to the Man Utd chiefs as he offered a contrasting set of attributes to Solskjaer.
He is said to be "ultra-technical and tactical" as opposed to Solskjaer who concentrated more on "motivational aspects".
- Justin Lawrence
LOU ARE YA?
Louis Saha has declared Roy Keane was right in his criticism of Harry Maguire as he stated other former Manchester United players should be calling out the squad.
Club legend Keane labelled Maguire as a 'disgrace' for his performances of late, with the Irishman subsequently accused of being a bully.
But Saha, who won two Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time at the Theatre of Dreams, has defender his ex-team-mate over his views.
Speaking to SunSport via 101 Great Goals, he said: "Maybe it seems harsh because it's against an individual, but Maguire is the captain and representative of the club.
"Keane's criticism is I believe directed predominantly on the whole group."
- Justin Lawrence
RED DEVIL RAID
Barcelona have added Manchester United pair Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard to their 10-man wishlist ahead of the January transfer window.
The Catalan giants are keen to bolster their squad after a nightmare start to the 2021-22 season.
And, according to Mundo Deportivo, Cavani and Lingard fit the bill as players who could be targeted by new manager Xavi when the market opens at the beginning of next year.
Uruguayan Cavani has only featured in five of Man Utd's Premier League games so far this season.
He could see Barcelona as a club offering much more game time given Sergio Aguero's health concerns and Xavi's apparent ill-feeling towards Luke de Jong as a realistic option to lead the line.
Then there is Lingard who has been given even fewer opportunities than Cavani since returning from his sensational loan spell with West Ham.
The England international is being heavily linked with a move back to the Hammers, but Barca may feel they can hijack the deal.
- Justin Lawrence
'WELCOME ZIZOU'
The pieces appear to be falling into place in Manchester United’s pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino.
A well-connected member of the Qatari royal family has announced Zinedine Zidane WILL take over at the Parc des Princes.
That would free up Pochettino to head to Old Trafford on a long-term appointment following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Thani has links to the Qatari sovereign wealth fund that bankrolls PSG.
He is also reported to be the brother of the French giants’ principal owner and has previously spoken out over Kylian Mbappe’s future at the club.
And the royal figure took to Twitter to confirm ex-Real Madrid boss Zidane has accepted an offer from the Ligue 1 leaders.
He tweeted: “Things are settled. It will be announced soon. Welcome Zezo.”
- Justin Lawrence
'MONEY DRIVEN'
Ralf Rangnick has been labelled a 'money grabber' who doesn't care about football by Lokomotiv Moscow's ex-president Nikolai Naumov.
Rangnock seems set to be joining United from Lokomotiv as interim boss until the end of the season following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking.
But the German's alleged decision to head to Old Trafford is driven by money and not passion for the game, according to Naumov.
And when a bigger offer comes along, even if it takes him to Africa, Rangnick leave United in the lurch too, Naumov claims.
He fumed to Match TV, reported by Manchester Evening News: "It’s not about Manchester. For Rangnick, this is no escape, betrayal, or disgrace. Rangnick is a merchant.
“He absolutely does not care about football, because he only does business around him.
And the more countries, leagues and football clubs he covers, the more he will earn.
He’s absolutely indifferent to Lokomotiv. He did not come here to raise football, but to earn money.
“Now he was offered money elsewhere, and he and his company will go to United.
"When he’s offered to work in Africa, he will go to earn money there, leaving his deputy at Manchester United. Clean business.”
- Justin Lawrence
AV MISSED YOU
Cristiano Ronaldo's mum Dolores Aveiro has cheekily hinted that she wants her son to make an emotional return to Sporting Lisbon.
She was in Portugal for the impressive 3-1 midweek win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
And she reposted a picture to her Instagram story of her celebrating alongside two pals with the caption: "Only you needed," in an apparent message to the Manchester United man.
One of the friends she was with, Portuguese broadcaster Pedro Fernandes, then replied by saying: "Even your mother agrees."
- Justin Lawrence
VIN BUSINESS
Manchester United are preparing a major offer for Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr, according to reports.
The Red Devils are claimed to want a marquee signing after their disastrous start to the season – despite already splurging on three big name transfers in the summer.
United find themselves eighth in the Premier League table, already 12 points behind Chelsea in top spot.
According to El Nacional, they see recruiting Vinicius Jr as the solution.
The Brazilian has been in red-hot form for Madrid this season, already bagging ten goals and seven assists in 18 appearances across all competitions.
- Justin Lawrence
ZAK HIM UP
Manchester United are reportedly keen on a move for Switzerland international Denis Zakaria in a bid to bolster their midfield.
The 25-year-old is out of contract at Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of the season and could be on his way to the Premier League.
But the Red Devils are set to face stiff competition when it comes to signing Zakaria.
Barcelona, Juventus and Roma are all eager to sign the midfielder, according to journalist Nicolo Schira.
Zakaria has rejected Gladbach’s offers of a new contract and seems destined to move on.
And Manchester United’s current midfield pairing of Fred and Scott McTominay have been the subject of intense criticism this campaign.
So a move for Zakaria would give incoming interim boss Ralf Rangnick another option in the middle of the park.
- Alex Terrell
RANGNICK 'CONFIRMED' BY FOUNDATION
Ralf Rangnick's non-profit organisation appear to have confirmed he is off to Manchester United, before deleting the post.
The German's appointment has not yet been confirmed by the Red Devils but the appointment is understood to be imminent on an interim basis.
Ralfrangnickstiftung posted on Instagram: "We congratulate and are happy for our founder Ralf Rangnick, who signed contract until the end of the season as trainer has signed with the English club and has gotten himself a long awaited dream come true."
- Alex Terrell
NICE TUCH FOR CARRA
Michael Carrick is relishing taking Manchester United to rivals Chelsea.
The United caretaker boss is set to be in the dugout for Sunday's clash with Thomas Tuchel's leaders, despite Ralf Rangnick's imminent arrival.
Former midfielder Carrick, 40, is looking forward to it having regularly gone toe-to-toe with the Blues during his 12 years playing at Old Trafford.
He said: "To be involved in big games as a player and coach, and now managing the team for the moment, it is hugely challenging. These games always are.
"Ever since I came to the club, playing against Chelsea, we were big rivals and challenging for titles.
"So I have got a history with Chelsea – and I enjoy that.
"That's competition at the highest level. That's what we're here for, that's what we thrive on, and this is definitely one of those occasions.
"I don't see it as pressure, to be honest. I've known this club for so long and kind of been used to it."
- Alex Terrell
TOOK A WHILE TO WARM TO IT
Rangnick added: "I can remember being in Arsenal's old Highbury stadium and three minutes before kickoff a white ball flew out of the dugout and that was the signal the teams were on their way.
"Then came the two teams. For two to three minutes they knocked the ball around. Then it started.
"It was the same in amateur football. In my very first match, I arrived half an hour early and no one was there.
"I looked for the others and finally they said, 'What are you doing? It's the captain who comes out first but only five minutes before the match'. These were some of the things I had to learn.
"I also learned what happens when you mutually push each other with your team-mates, cheering each other and that really helped me a lot as my time as a trainer and player."
- Alex Terrell
IN FROM THE COLD
Rangnick, whose favourite player growing up was former Manchester United star Garry Birtles, brought a professional attitude to his training that was not exactly matched by his new British team-mates.
He recalled: "What was completely new for me coming from Germany – not only in amateur but also professional football – was in England you didn't warm-up on the pitches before a match.
"Instead, warm-up was really short and sweet, in the dressing room or in the corridor outside.
"Even when I watched First Division matches, I turned up to the stadium half-an-hour early to see how they warmed up – and nothing happened."
- Alex Terrell
LUNG BUSTER
Ralf Rangnick had a painful introduction to English football 42 years ago -THREE broken ribs and a punctured LUNG, writes ROB MAUL.
Manchester United's new interim manager, 63, played 11 matches for non-league Southwick in Sussex County Division One.
The then 21-year-old was studying for a degree in English and PE at Stuttgart University but fancied keeping fit in amateur football during a year at the University of Sussex in Brighton.
Just 154 people watched the German make his debut as a 76th-minute substitute in a 3-3 draw with Steyning Town on October 13, 1979.
But in his second match away at Chichester, Rangnick suffered a serious injury.
He recalled: "I had direct experience of being tackled from behind. I broke three ribs – and one of them punctured my lung."
- Alex Terrell
HOLD THE BACK PAGE
Ralf Rangnick has answered Manchester United's call to become interim boss, writes MARTIN BLACKBURN.
The 63-year-old German is poised to sign a six-month contract as Old Trafford manager following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's exit.
Rangnick, currently sporting director at Lokomotiv Moscow, was offered huge incentives to get the Red Devils back into the Champions League next season.
United intensified their search for a temporary chief after it became clear top targets Mauricio Pochettino and Brendan Rodgers will not be available until the summer.
Due to work permit issues, Rangnick will not arrive in England until next week – meaning Michael Carrick stays in charge for the trip to leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
But if all goes to plan, he could be in the dugout when Arsenal visit the Theatre of Dreams on Thursday.
Rangnick's arrival after Solskjaer's sacking on Sunday will allow United's board the chance to weigh up their options before moving for a permanent manager in the summer.
- Joshua Jones
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
German football mastermind Ralf Rangnick is set to become interim manager.
The 63-year-old will take over for six months whilst United look for a permanent fix, and once the right man is found, Rangnick will move up to a 'consultancy' role.
Nicknamed ‘The Professor’, he was one of the pioneers of Gegenpressing, a style of play where teams immediately press the opposition after losing possession of the ball.
His influence has been felt in the modern game, with many teams adopting his philosophy.
Rangnick is currently the head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow.
That means, due to work permit issues, he will not be in charge for Sunday’s clash at Chelsea.
Man Utd are the only English side Ralf Rangnick has ever faced as a manager.
However, he lost both legs of the 2011 Champions League semi-finals with Schalke, 6-1 on aggregate.
On the transfer front, Manchester United will battle it out with a host of Europe’s top clubs including Spurs to sign £70million-rated Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are the latest to join the list of clubs keeping tabs of Vlahovic – including Spurs, Newcastle, AC Milan, Juventus and Arsenal.
- Kealan Hughes
ON HIS WAY
The chairman of Russian giants Lokomotiv Moscow, Alexander Plutnik, has hinted that Ralf Rangnick is leaving the club to become Manchester United's new interim manager.
Although the deal is not yet signed, sealed and delivered, Lokomotiv chairman Plutnik has hinted that Rangnick is leaving to join United, insisting that the Russian outfit "will be fine" without him.
Speaking ahead of Lokomotiv's 3-0 Europa League defeat to Lazio on Thursday evening, he said: "Things are good. We are now focused on the game.
"We will think after the match. Everything will be fine."
- Kealan Hughes
MARVEL-LOUS
A host of Manchester United legends turned out in the city tonight for the ‘Robbo: The Bryan Robson Story’ premiere.
And that led to legendary ex manager Sir Alex Ferguson coming face to face with current interim boss Michael Carrick.
The legion of stars were out to catch their first glimpse of the upcoming documentary about United and England icon Robson.
Their former captain, now aged 64, spent 13 years at Old Trafford during his epic playing career and won a host of honours before departing to take charge of Middlesbrough in 1994.
Now Captain Marvel’s stunning contribution to the success of Fergie will be shown on screen when the documentary hits Netflix, Amazon Prime and Rakuten on November 29.
As well as his former manager, his old England midfield partner Paul Gascoigne was also in attendance.
- Kealan Hughes
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON
Michael Carrick has insisted that he is still focused on this weekend's big game against 'rivals' Chelsea.
That's despite news that Manchester United are on the brink of announcing they have agreed a six-month deal with Ralph Rangnick.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Carrick, 40, said: "My future is this next two or three days. That's as far as I am prepared to look.
"That's the right way to go about it. Football is that kind of business that you never know what is round the corner at the best of times.
"All my energy and my mind at the moment is on Sunday."
- Joshua Mbu
3 PINTS FOR A WIN
Footie fans could be allowed to drink during games again for the first time in 36 years, writes NATASHA CLARK and NICHOLAS GUTTERIDGE.
The law banning booze in stands could be axed as part of a wide-ranging review of the sport.
Among recommendations is a test scheme for fans to be able to drink alcohol during matches at League Two and National League clubs.
Ministers have welcomed the move, part of a fan-led review headed by ex-sports minister Tracey Crouch.
She said a “small scale and limited pilot” on the sale of alcohol “in sight of the pitch” would help struggling clubs rake in extra cash.
Ms Crouch added yesterday: “This is about the financial sustainability of the lowest parts of the league — such a small change would make a huge difference.”
Research suggests an average League Two club loses around £184,000 a season by not being able to sell booze to fans watching matches.
- Joshua Mbu
RON TOP
Cristiano Ronaldo is still Man Utd's biggest export.
- Joshua Mbu
NOT SHAW
Ralf Rangnick raised concern over Manchester United star Luke Shaw in an interview in 2020, writes KEALAN HUGHES.
The coach, 63, is set to take over as interim boss after agreeing a deal with the club.
And he could be keen to improve the defence judging by an answer he gave in regard to where the Red Devils need to improve.
"I think on the market there are a few young central defenders.
"They (United) 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."
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