Ralf Rangnick is being urged to assert his authority on a dressing room failing to deliver at Manchester United.
A 1-0 defeat against Wolves ended his honeymoon period in perfunctory fashion and was a depressing reminder of the ongoing issues that caused his predecessor to depart the role in tears.
It wasn’t good enough but it is nevertheless dispiriting to see Rangnick, a man regarded as a pioneer for his work in the Bundesliga, reduced to Old Trafford chaff after just over a month in charge.
For all that the performances haven’t backed up the reputation that he arrived with, it is far too early to be delivering definitive verdicts on a coach who needs training ground time and the faith of his players to implement the sort of high intensity game which will drag the club back into relevance.
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He remains an astute coach and, to his credit, has not sugar-coated performances so far. A source close to the interim head coach told i he’s “more than aware” that things aren’t progressing as they should. But, they insist, we should see “more of the real Ralf” in the coming weeks. They say time on the training ground is crucial to implementing his plans.
Whether that fills you with hope or dread depends on where you apportion blame for a Christmas that was unconvincing at the very best. Indeed some of his early moves appear to have been lost in translation with little ‘buy in’ from the dressing room.
Cancelling days off and moving training to afternoon slots has caused unnecessary tension and show a less than nuanced understanding of English football culture. It may sound faintly farcical to fans who have seen such a regression in the last few months but making changes to the schedule mid-season upsets rhythms and – in the words of one adviser – “was something he shouldn’t have done”.
Aware that he had not worked in England before, Rangnick had wanted to add another voice to his backroom staff with experience of the Premier League. But so far, the hierarchy at Manchester United have failed to supply that appointment – partly due to complex Brexit rules which also delayed Rangnick’s own start.
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Man Utd were 'clueless' in Wolves defeat - the Ralf Rangnick rescue act is falling flat03 January, 2022The German is hugely well-respected at former clubs and ex-players have an immense loyalty to him – but he is more of a detached presence on the training ground than an ‘arm around the shoulder’ boss. He will hope sports psychologist Sascha Lense, employed until the end of the season, will start to benefit from increased time with the players after a Covid-disrupted Christmas period.
All of this is background noise to what appears the real issue: at some point, the players who have struggled to best Newcastle, Norwich and Wolves over the Christmas period need to consider their own part in the club’s ongoing struggles.
This is not a squad pieced together on the cheap but instead is the second most expensive group of players ever assembled in the Premier League. It is time, many inside the club believe, for them to start justifying their own reputations.
Rangnick has been conciliatory so far with his team selections but with just five months to stamp his authority on the club and his own reputation on the line, there comes a point where goodwill has to be expended.
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Therein lies the rub. Rangnick is yet to sacrifice one of Manchester United’s ‘big names’ but surely the time is coming. Those close to him are advising him to stick with his methods – 4-2-2-2 formation and all – and instead tell the players they must adapt.
A source close to Rangnick told i: “Ralf has a choice to make in the next few weeks and it feels like a simple one.
“We know his approach works – it has worked before at many clubs and it’s proven to work if the players go with it. So the choice is simple – stick with the approach but change the players.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3eTCVfn
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