Rangnick suggests Man Utd won't sign a midfielder

Martin Macdonald

7 Jan 2022 15:07 GMT
3 min read

Former RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick — © ProShots

Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick says the club will need to focus on current players within the squad to try and solve the team's midfield issues.

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This season, various combinations of Fred, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek have been fielded by both Rangnick and previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But, it is a part of the United side that has received criticism, even from Rangnick himself, especially after Wolves dominated their last Premier League game at Old Trafford, winning 1-0.

The last midfielder that the club purchased was Donny van de Beek in 2019, but the Dutchman has not made the desired impact on the team and hasn't even started a league game in 2021/22.

Man Utd have been linked with various midfielders for the January transfer window, but recent comments from Rangnick suggest he will stick with the players he has.

"It doesn't help if there is a profile missing," Rangnick said on Friday.

"We need to work and want to work with the players we have. We have shown we are able to keep clean sheets with these players but it's also what we're doing with the ball and without the ball.

"Again, we had too many giveaways, too many turnovers in that game, this is also an issue we spoke about with the team - that we shouldn't make it too easy for the other team to be in possession of the ball especially when once we have the ball it's also about responsible decision-making, making the right decision at the right moment."

Who have Man Utd been linked with?

Declan Rice

Declan Rice had been linked with a £90 million move to Manchester United, or Chelsea, in last summer's transfer window.

Now, West Ham's asking price will have risen even further due to the Englishman's stellar 2021/22 campaign thus far.

But, signing Rice for such a remarkable fee would still prove to be excellent business given his age (22).

Amadou Haidara

Another player that could be of huge use to Man Utd is young RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara.

Rangnick has certainly played his part in the young talent’s career to date, overseeing Haidara’s move to Red Bull Salzburg and then his next step up to the Bundesliga in 2019.

As such, the German tactician will know exactly what Haidara brings to the table and what he could offer a Man Utd midfield that is sorely lacking box-to-box talent.

Kalvin Phillips

Alternatively, Rangnick could target Rice's international central midfield partner.

Kalvin Phillips is employed in a deeper role, for club and country, which would solve the United's biggest need.

Leeds' poor Premier League season could tempt the 25-year-old to make a move.

Jude Bellingham

While Rangnick hasn't had any involvement in Jude Bellingham's career to date, he’ll undoubtedly know all about the talented Englishman.

The 18-year-old has already lit up the Bundesliga, becoming a key part of Borussia Dortmund's side over the last year.

Manchester United missed out on Bellingham last time round, a costly mistake, and will be keen to make sure it doesn't happen again.