When Manchester United announced Ralph Rangnick as interim manager and a consultant in November 2021, fans were suspicious/delighted. And while his managerial career is not so exciting, his work in the director’s box is visible with the success of Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig in Bundesliga. And soon the initial delight with the German tactician vanished, as the results continued to be miserable, and it seems that his managerial failure at the Old Trafford spilled over to his consultancy role, as the powers in Manchester just ignored their advisor’s advice. Just so typical for the ‘post Ferguson’ era – hire an expert and then don’t listen to him.Ralf Rangnick’s recommendations to the board before he left:- Julian Alvarez in January- Laimer – Nkunku before he signed a new contract- Josko Gvardiol as a “must-buy”. [Samuel Luckhurst] pic.twitter.com/jH6vAxZvMI— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) August 9, 2022 It has been revealed by the Manchester Evening news that in the January transfer window, but also beyond that, when Rangnick was still supposed to stay as a consultant for two more years, the German advised the powers at the Old Trafford to buy four players and the result was that their rivals Manchester City brought two of those players and the Red Devils – none.Ten Hag turns to plan D – a forward from PSV?What are Manchester’s weaknesses? First of all, the middle of the field, as numerous pundits and former club’s legends said that McTominlay and Fred cannot play in the first 11. Ranginck suggested Conrad Laimer from RB Leipzig and the sporting department did nothing and the Austrian international is of interest to Bayern now. Next up is the striker, not only because Martial was loaned, but also due to the fact that Ronaldo is not getting any younger and that Greenwood was out indefinitely. Rangnick’s advice: Haaland and Julian Alvares. The German knew that the Norwegian striker was probably too big of a target, but his exit clause was not so high and he suggested to at least try to see the terms. But, United had a bad blood with player’s agent Mino Raiola over Paul Pogba and ignored that as well. They also failed to follow the interest on a promising Argentinian Julian Alvares and City took him for only 17 million euros, while Haaland came for 60 million, three million more than United paid for Ajax’s defender Lisandro Martinez.Chicharito assures he’ll play for Man Utd for free if they call himNext up – defender and a forward. Who is the best player in the Bundesliga in 2021 and it’s worth 80 million? Christopher Nkunku, a former PSG youth player, who excelled in Leipzig last season and in January, before he signed a new contract was not worth that much, so Rangnick again advised Manchester to get him and was snubbed again. The German tactician had in mind another RB Leipzig player – a defender from Croatia called Josko Gvardiol, who he labelled ‘a must buy’, but guess what, Manchester did nothing. Instead they went for Lisandro Martinez for 67 million. With only three players bought so far (and all three from Holland), United really don’t look like a team who will compete for the Champions League this season, and they certainly don’t listen to their (former) advisors. It will be an ‘interesting’ season for sure.##NAJAVA_MECA_6556918##
