Cristiano Ronaldo will soon get to work under new Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick and Michael Carrick’s comments might explain his new role in the squad
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Carrick says he’s yet to speak with incoming Man Utd boss Rangnick
Ralf Rangnick ’s appointment as Manchester United’s interim manager until the end of the season has caused quite the stir – and that is before he has even officially begun work.
Rangnick was confirmed as United’s new boss on Monday , but his start has been delayed by frustrating work visa issues.
That has left Michael Carrick in charge for Thursday night’s Premier League game against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
The game will be Carrick’s third and presumably last in temporary charge of the side, after the 2-0 win over Villarreal last week and the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday.
Despite its short length, Carrick’s stint in the hot seat has made a sizeable impact, with his decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench at Stamford Bridge a big one.
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Many suggested the call had been influenced by Rangnick – something Carrick denied – but it can still be seen as a foreshadowing of what is to come.
Ronaldo is United’s top scorer this season with 10 goals in 15 appearances across all competitions, but his limitations at the age of 36 are clear.
The Portuguese superstar has reinvented himself over the past couple of years, turning from a flying winger into a pure penalty box poacher.
His contribution, or lack of it, to the United press has been pored over and the arrival of the godfather of gegenpressing was widely viewed as a blow to Ronaldo’s second United spell resurgence.
Rangnick has been hired by United for his demanding ways. The club wants someone to make necessary changes after the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era and to usher in an entirely new one before a new long-term manager takes the reins in the summer.
The 63-year-old German is expected to restore some order, drill his team on the training pitch and fashion a team in his image.
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As many have pointed out, that may suit United’s younger players better than Ronaldo; boundless energy and a will to run may be preferred to energy conservation and focused spells of effort.
However, like many of the coaching staff and people behind the scenes at the club, Ronaldo is a product of the old United way – and that might provide salvation for him.
One of the reasons Ronaldo was brought back to Old Trafford in the summer was his long-standing connection with the club. That is the same reason many former players, like Carrick, have been kept on in other roles.
They get the United culture and understand what is expected from them. And that is where Ronaldo can continue to have an impact, whether he is suited to Rangnick’s playbook or not.
Carrick has been at the club for 15 years since joining from Tottenham. He has been a player, an assistant coach and now an interim manager. He gets it – and his previous comments about Ronaldo could be instructive.
“Sometimes you look at this club and all the great players here from the past – but they weren’t ready-made, not by any stretch,” he explained two years ago.
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“They came into teams with different characters but they had to live, learn, make mistakes and improve.
“Cristiano is the best example of that. He came and took a year or two to settle. Then, all of a sudden, he found his feet and exploded.”
Ronaldo joined United from Sporting Lisbon as an 18-year-old in 2003. He spent six years on an upward trajectory before heading off to further himself at Real Madrid and Juventus.
Despite his age, Ronaldo is still the model professional. He prides himself on his physical condition and his unerring commitment to the sport.
He may not have as many miles in his legs any more. And he may not like the Rangnick revolution. But he can still set the example for the next generation of United stars both on and off the pitch.
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