Ralf Rangnick has delivered a scathing assessment of Manchester United’s progress, or lack thereof, since his tenure at Old Trafford. Despite the club splashing out millions on new signings over the years, they find themselves languishing in 14th place in the Premier League with only four games remaining this season.
The former Red Devils interim manager didn’t mince words when he spoke to Canal+ Austria earlier this week. He stated: “A few basic things need to be changed, and since then £700million, if not £750m, has been spent on new players. And in the table, they are even significantly worse than back then.
Rangnick highlighted that United can only salvage the season by winning the Europa League in Bilbao on May 21, which would secure Champions League football next term.
Ruben Amorim‘s side have one foot in the final after beating Athletic Club 3-0 away from home in their semi-final first leg. Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt would await in the final.
Rangnick added: “They could actually, with a win in the Europa League, still save this season. Because then they will be in the Champions League.
“Anything else would be a disappointment, and it will be interesting to see what will happen.”
The German coach went on to criticise the club’s recent managerial appointment, suggesting that Amorim’s tactical preferences don’t align with the squad’s construction.
“They have signed a coach in the middle of the season who plays with a three or a five-back, and the squad was built based on a four-back system,” Rangnick explained.
“This is what you see when you see them play, especially in Premier League games against the opponents against which Manchester United normally has to win.”
While United have been woeful in the Premier League, it’s been a different story in Europe.
The Red Devils are the only unbeaten club across UEFA’s three major competitions, winning eight and drawing five of their 13 Europa League matches.
Since Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag in the dugout, he has overseen eight victories and two draws.
Rangnick continued: “Sure, in the Europa League, they have – usually with the result against Lyon, you are eliminated – they have turned it around. And of course, the stadium had a huge effect.”
Rangnick earned plaudits for his unfiltered press conferences during his tenure as interim boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s sack, notably claiming the squad needed “open heart surgery”.
But he couldn’t improve results, and United slumped to a sixth-place finish. Rangnick was succeeded by the now-ousted Ten Hag.
Despite securing the FA Cup and League Cup in two years, he was dismissed amid an appalling run earlier this season.
Under Amorim’s management, league fortunes may remain unchanged, yet the possibility of Europa League triumph could be a cause for celebration this summer.
