It’s been over two years since Ralf Rangnick had a short-lived stint at Manchester United, but his concerns about the club’s structure haven’t faded.
In fact, the now-Austria national team manager is doubling down on his criticism—insisting that many of United’s ongoing struggles stem from the same root issue: lack of real leadership.
Rangnick Reflects on His Chaotic Six Months at United
Rangnick was brought in as interim manager in December 2021 with hopes of stabilizing the team. Instead, he
was left frustrated by unclear structures and decision-making during his time in charge.
He managed 11 wins, nine draws, and nine losses—a pretty underwhelming spell by United’s standards.
And while United has picked up a few trophies since—like the FA Cup and League Cup—Rangnick argues that success has been scattered and directionless.
‘Leadership Problem’ Goes Back to Ferguson’s Exit
According to Rangnick, the decline didn’t start with him or his successors.
It began the moment Sir Alex Ferguson stepped away in 2013.
“I think we have to go back to 2013,” he told Sport. “When Sir Alex left, he didn’t just leave a coaching position—he left a power vacuum.
He was the mastermind. And when he went, some of the key people he’d brought with him left too.”
Rangnick said that, from that point onward, the club never found its footing again.
“Since then, I think they’ve had a leadership problem.
Who’s making the decisions? Are they the right people? Even when I was there, I couldn’t say.”
Struggling to Make Transfers and Find Support
One of Rangnick’s biggest gripes was how hard it was to get things done.
“If we wanted to bring in new players, it was difficult,” he admitted.
“There were people involved, but figuring out who actually made the final call? That wasn’t always clear.”
Even as head coach, Rangnick said it wasn’t easy to get straightforward answers about signings or strategy.
Rangnick Takes a Swipe at Big-Money Veteran Signings
The former United boss also made a strong case for signing younger players.
Without naming names directly, he questioned the logic of spending huge money on players approaching 30.
“If I were running a club, I’d only invest in young talent,” he said.
“Think about it—if you spend 50 million on a 28 or 30-year-old and give them a five-year contract, that whole deal could end up costing 130 million once you include salaries and agent fees.”
His comments seem to subtly criticize United’s 2022 move for Casemiro, who was 30 when he arrived from Real Madrid for £60 million plus £10 million in add-ons.
United Still Stuck in Transition Despite Big Spending
Despite spending over £600 million on transfers since Rangnick’s departure, United haven’t been able to return to the level fans expect.
The club, now under the management of Ruben Amorim, ended last season a shocking 15th in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.
Even with big names like Dave Brailsford and Jason Wilcox involved in the INEOS-led leadership structure, Rangnick clearly remains skeptical about the club’s long-term strategy.
Final Thoughts: Rangnick’s Words Ring True for Many Fans
Rangnick’s honesty may be biting, but it resonates with a growing number of United supporters who are desperate to see a clear and effective rebuild.
While Casemiro continues to perform and rack up appearances, the broader question remains—how long can United keep papering over cracks without addressing the foundation?