Ralf Rangnick’s tenure as interim manager of Manchester United may not be fondly remembered by many supporters. Nevertheless, he made concerted efforts to lay the groundwork for a brighter future for the club. The 65-year-old German, who currently manages the Austrian national team but has been heavily linked with the Bayern Munich job, was initially appointed as United’s interim manager in November 2021. However, he ultimately failed to prove his worth and departed shortly after Erik ten Hag’s arrival. Rangnick had a significant influence on recruitment decisions during his brief association with United. He was responsible for identifying and recommending several players who could have significantly bolstered the squad. However, none of these recommendations came to fruition. During his final weeks at the club, Rangnick famously stated that the squad needed “open-heart surgery.” He emphasized the need for significant changes, and it’s evident that the same issues continue to plague United at Old Trafford. “But even without such a script, it was clear to everyone that there was a need in many areas,” he told BILD. “That’s why we were already discussing players like Josko Gvardiol and Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig. Those were names that were realistic.” He further added, “We also talked about Alvaro Morata, Luis Diaz, Dusan Vlahovic, and, as I said, Erling Haaland when they were still on the market. But the club decided at that time to rebuild the team under the new coach.” Enzo Fernandez, who recently broke the British transfer record with his move to Chelsea, was one of the players Rangnick identified. United had reportedly been monitoring the midfielder while he was at River Plate. However, they hesitated and waited for Ten Hag’s approval before making a move. Benfica ultimately signed Fernandez for a mere £17 million, leaving United with a sense of regret. Manchester City’s acquisition of Josko Gvardiol is another example of a missed opportunity. The highly-rated center-back has impressed with his performances for Croatia and Manchester City. United could have secured his services before his move to the Premier League. Julian Alvarez, who has enjoyed a successful debut season at Manchester City, was also on Rangnick’s radar. The young Argentine forward has emerged as one of the world’s top prospects and would have been a valuable addition to United’s squad. Luis Diaz, now a key player for Liverpool, was another player United missed out on despite Rangnick’s recommendation. The Colombian international has become one of the Premier League’s most exciting forwards since joining Liverpool. Erling Haaland, arguably the most sought-after striker in world football, could have been a United player had they acted on Rangnick’s advice. The Norwegian goal machine has been nothing short of extraordinary for Manchester City. His arrival at Old Trafford could have significantly altered the trajectory of United’s fortunes. Konrad Laimer, a versatile midfielder who joined Bayern Munich from RB Leipzig, was also identified by Rangnick. United could have saved themselves a significant outlay by signing Laimer before he moved to Bayern. Alvaro Morata, a veteran striker with experience at top European clubs, was another player Rangnick recommended. He could have provided United with a valuable option up front. Christopher Nkunku, who recently joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig, was also on United’s radar. The Frenchman has established himself as one of Europe’s most promising attacking talents. Dusan Vlahovic, a highly sought-after center-forward who currently plays for Juventus, was another player Rangnick identified. The Serbian international has become one of Serie A’s most coveted forwards. These are just a few examples of the numerous players that Manchester United missed out on under Rangnick’s guidance. Their failure to secure these signings has had a detrimental impact on the club’s progress and has contributed to their ongoing struggles. While Rangnick’s time at Old Trafford may not be remembered fondly by many supporters, it’s clear that he had a keen eye for talent and identified several players who could have transformed United’s fortunes.
Missed Opportunities: How Manchester United Could Have Transformed Their Squad Under Ralf Rangnick
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