Manchester United's search for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's replacement has reached a conclusion, at least for now, with Ralf Rangnick agreeing a six-month contract to take charge of the Old Trafford club, but just what will the German veteran bring?
United have been accused of being passive both on and off the pitch in recent seasons, yet there is every chance that both of those issues will be addressed by the former Schalke coach, who will remain at the club in a technical capacity for two years after the end of the 2021/22 season.
Pressing will be key
Manchester United have been a mixture of lazy and arrogant when not in possession of the ball in recent years.
There has been a sense that coaches haven't felt work off the ball important to work on and we've seen teams that do very little other than retreat into a shape at jogging pace when not in possession.
Rangnick will not tolerate that, even in training, with the German coach known for his role in the evolution of 'gegenpressing' at the turn of the millennium.
His entire gameplan is built upon the pressing done high up the pitch and at an incredible tempo, and for this to work at Old Trafford he will need the players to become fitter and more committed when working out of possession.
The team will have an identity
Solskjaer worked to the best of his ability at the helm of Manchester United, but tactically he was always struggling to keep up with Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
United often played in moments and there wasn't a clear identity to how they wanted to play football. The team's success came through individual brilliance for the most-part, and there weren't any clear patterns of play.
Rangnick's team will have the clearest of identities moving forward. In addition to the pressing, there will be high-tempo counter-attacking football which has proven to be successful across Europe in recent years.
Players like Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho will likely be the main beneficiaries, given important roles in attack, although it remains to be seen how the German coach will utilise Cristiano Ronaldo.
Chidon_Sports
124
Ralf Rangnick first day at training : tell the captain to see me in my office. Maguire enters : you want to see me coach. Rangnick : I asked for the Captain. Maguire : I am the captain. Rangnick : πππ u were the captain. Now go call me Cristiano. πππππππππ
jezabdnpyz
44
Let's Just Let The Professor Do His Job. Heal The Damage And Build On The Foundation. Have A Identity And A Playing Style. Don't Have High Expectations And Let Things Go By Step By Step.
Game_analyser
33
Fred wil be raigmicks favourite midfileder......his pressing is actually great....and plauing under a coach who prioritise pressing will be huge boost for fred...and Pogba will have no role under ragnick....so united should sell him in january..and bring a great Midfielder as a replacement
Chidon_Sports
15
This is a brilliant appointment from United. United have been lagging behind other clubs for years. Ralf will bring in new ideas and modern football to the club to compete with other teams. United have lacked intensity, don't press teams, usually sit back when opponents have the ball, the passing is very slow and has lacked tempo. Ralf will demand intensity with the pressing, will want his team to move the ball quickly and will bring in new tactics and hopefully we can get close to the title and go far in the Champions League. The best scenario would then be for him to move into a Football Director role and for Edwin van der Sar to replace Ed Woodward as CEO and Ten Hag to come in as manager next summer. This will revolutionize Manchester United and make United a proper modern day club.