No more Ronaldo, Pogba or Maguire? Rangnick announces change in Man Utd transfer policy
FT Desk
- 2 Apr 2022 13:47 BST
- 3 min read
Whatever happens at Manchester United this summer, it seems almost certain that Ralf Rangnick will play a crucial role in it.
First off, the German tactician could enjoy a tremendous end to the season which may lead to the Old Trafford bosses sticking by the former Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig head coach and allowing him to continue in charge.
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Or, if the club are intent on bringing in a new manager, Rangnick will simply move into a sporting director role and play a huge part in what kind of squad is pieced together at Man Utd over the summer transfer window.
As such, nobody at the club is perhaps as in-tune with the future plans of Man Utd as Rangnick is and he’s just hinted that there may be some serious changes to the way the club buys players.
What did Rangnick say?
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash with Leicester City, Rangnick was happy to point out that the club’s previous transfer policy no longer worked and needed to be changed.
"It's obvious that something needs to be changed, something needs to be rebuilt in the summer," Rangnick told Sky Sports. "The team could do with some more highly-talented, hungry players who really want to develop their own careers.
"I don't think it should be that much about signing big names. I wouldn't mind big names! But for me it's important about being competitive, hungry, seeing a move to a club - and I have always believed this - not only as a big contract, a big-name club, but the next logical step in his career.
"If this happens, then you have a completely different level of motivation, aspiration, inspiration to play for whatever club that is. That should be the major target for the summer transfer window."
Does that mean a change in policy at Man Utd?
Ever since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as Man Utd manager in 2013, the club have had a policy of making a statement in the transfer window by buying bonafide stars and has then struggled to build teams around them.
Whether that be Angel Di Maria in 2014, Anthony Martial in 2015, Paul Pogba in 2016, Romelu Lukaku in 2017, Harry Maguire in 2018 or Cristiano Ronaldo this season, Man Utd have always seemingly sought out the biggest name in the market and made sure to buy them, regardless off the consequences.
As Rangnick has suggested, that simply doesn’t work. And it seems as though the German has suggested that rather than opt for big-name players, Man Utd will instead focus on good players that can work in their squad. Which, as obvious as it sounds, would be a change in tactic for the Old Trafford side.
