Why Man Utd's managerial dithering could cost them Rudiger and other stars
Martin Macdonald
- 24 Mar 2022 15:31 GMT
- 3 min read
Manchester United's indecisiveness with regards to their next managerial appointment is going to have an adverse impact on the playing squad, and in more ways than one.
At the moment, the current Man Utd players have no idea who will be in charge of them at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
Ralf Rangnick was appointed as caretaker manager in November of 2021 after the failed tenure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but the German seems poised to step into an advisory role at the conclusion of the current season.
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Man Utd are looking at a number of names to come in as permanent manager, but until a decision is made, the uncertainty will be damaging.
With regards to the current playing squad, the biggest negative of the lack of a plan is with regards to Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman recently told Le Figaro:
"You have to be honest, the last five seasons have not satisfied me - really not at all.
"This year it is dead, we won't win anything. Whether it is with Manchester United or another club, I want to win trophies.
"I get along very well with [France boss Didier Deschamps], he gave me a role that I know, but at Manchester United do I really have a role? I ask the question but I don't have an answer."
Pogba's contract runs out at the end of the season and no new deal has been offered in nearly a year. He has not ruled out staying at Old Trafford, but is eager to see who is appointed as manager before making a decision.
That then, leaves Man Utd in the dark about his plans until they make their own managerial decision.
After that, there is the case of players not wanting to agree to join Man Utd until the manager is confirmed.
The Red Devils have been strongly linked with the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Paulo Dybala, but journalist Christian Falk has reported that the former, like Pogba, is unwilling to commit to Man Utd until a manager is in place.
Who is the favourite to become Man Utd manager?
The current favourite to become next Man Utd boss is Erik ten Hag.
There’s little doubt that the Ajax head coach is one of Europe’s most exciting coaches and as such he has been heavily linked with a move to Man Utd for some time.
Although Ten Hag previously rebuffed any hints of him leaving the Dutch club, the prospect of working under Rangnick in a newly-structured Man Utd system does apparently make the move to Old Trafford far more appealing.
However, like all things, Man Utd may face stiff opposition to land Ten Hag’s signature and there’s no guarantee that he’ll fancy a move to the club over another side with more direct prospects of silverware and success.
The Daily Mail reported this week that he has already interviewed for the job.
