'Significantly worse' - Ralf Rangnick takes fresh shot at Man Utd

Tom Weber

Updated: 3 May 2025 18:32 BST
3 min read

Ralf Rangnick has hit out at Manchester United again for not heeding the advice he gave them during his time at Old Trafford.

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The German manager experienced a brief but tumultuous spell at Man Utd in 2022 following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Rangnick took charge of the Red Devils in the interim and made no secret of the problems the club was experiencing behind the scenes.

Rangnick, who is now in charge of the Austrian men's national team, famously said that Man Utd would require 'open heart surgery' before they could get back on their perch, and history has certainly vindicated him.

Despite a partial takeover by Britain's wealthiest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Man Utd are in a worse position than under Rangnick. The sacking of Erik ten Hag and the appointment of Ruben Amorim have done little to improve their fortunes.

Man Utd are on course for their worst-ever Premier League season, and there are few signs of a lasting upturn considering the club's worrying financial situation.

Rangnick critical of Man Utd

During an appearance on Canal+ Austria, Rangnick was critical about the direction of travel since his departure and questioned the logic behind appointing Amorim mid-season.

"A few basic things needed to be changed, and since then £700 million, if not £750m, has been spent on new players," Rangnick began. "And in the table, they are even significantly worse than back then.

© IMAGO - Ralf Rangnick and Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd

"They could actually, with a win in the Europa League, still save this season, because then they will be in the Champions League. Everything else would be a disappointment, and it will be interesting to see what will happen.

"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.

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."

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