Manchester United are looking to appoint Ralf Rangnick as their interim manager on a six-month deal, and the former RB Leipzig boss may try and spend big in the January transfer window
Video Unavailable
Mauricio Pochettino discusses Manchester United job
Manchester United are in advanced talks with Ralf Rangnick to become their interim manager, who could fulfil make one of his former players’ dreams come true.
The Red Devils parted ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday following a poor start to the season.
United are now sitting in eighth place in the Premier League following humiliating defeats in three of their last four games, at the hands of Watford (4-1), Manchester City (2-0) and Liverpool (5-0).
It is hard to pin down one direct position on the pitch that is the cause of the torrid time the club are enduring, but their midfield has been an issue for several seasons now.
(
Image:
Jan Woitas/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa)
And Rangnick may be tempted to solve the woes during his six-month stint in the Old Trafford dugout by reuniting with Amadou Haidara.
In 2019, Rangnick signed the Mali international for RB Leipzig from RB Salzburg for £17milllion, and the player could be tempted to reunite with the German due to his desire to play for United.
“I like Manchester United very much and watch as many games as possible. I dream of playing there. ” Haidara told Bild in 2019.
Haidara has become a key player for Leipzig in the past few seasons, making 31 Bundesliga appearances last season and scoring three times and assisting another.
If Rangnick does decide that he wants to reunite with the 23-year-old then United will have to battle it out with Newcastle to secure his signature.
The Magpies were linked with signing Haidara through the summer but Leipzig remained firm and were only willing to part ways with the midfielder if his £33million release clause was met.
At the time, Newcastle were unwilling to match the clause, but their newfound ownership means that they will have the financial capabilities to pursue the young prospect in January or next year if he is still a target.
Haidara was signed as a long-term replacement for Naby Keita after he departed for Liverpool, with his immense potential being a key reason why the midfielder made the jump from Austria to Germany.
Have Your Say! Will Rangnick be a success at United? Comment below
Speaking after the departure of Haidara, Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund revealed how pleased he was to see the midfielder leave and prove himself at a higher level.
“We are very proud that another young player and extraordinary person in Amadou Haidara has developed well enough in the last two-and-a-half years to make the leap to a top European league,” he said.
“We hope that he is over his knee injury soon and he is able to continue his impressive development, which is far from being over. We hope he gets better soon and wish him all the very best for a very successful future!”
It remains to be seen who Rangnick signs in the January transfer window, or whether he feels that there is enough talent in the squad to fulfil United’s short-term targets during his six-month spell at the Theatre of Dreams.
His high-pressing, aggressive tactics could take a while to get used to for the current Red Devils squad, so the addition of a player that is familiar with the playstyle could be a welcome addition to the team.
Read More
Read More
