Ralf Rangnick: I tried to convince Michael Carrick to stay

Rangnick has started his role as Manchester United's new interim manager for the remainder of the season after his work permit and necessary paperwork were approved.

Ralf Rangnick is highly respected by other world class managers, Image credit: Twitter/Fabrizio Romano
By Karthik Raman | Dec 3, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Manchester United’s new interim manager Ralf Rangnick has informed that he tried his best to “convince” Michael Carrick to stay at the club. However, the 63-year-old stated that he understood the former English midfielder’s decision to leave the club. Carrick was given the caretaker responsibility after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the club recently. With Carrick at the helm, United won an away match against Villarreal in the Champions League last midweek before getting a crucial point at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the Premier League. His final game in-charge of United saw the team defeat Arsenal 3-2 at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

In his first press conference as United boss ahead of his maiden game in charge, Rangnick revealed that he spoke with the former United midfielder at length. Rangnick, as quoted by Sky Sports, said: “I had a conversation with Michael for more than an hour and tried to convince him [to stay], but he needed a break and I understand his decision.”

“I am more than happy to work with the current staff because I need their expertise on the current squad. I will try and find one, two, maybe three people to help us. But due to Brexit, it’s not that easy. Many of my former colleagues are in long-term contracts with other clubs so we have to be smart.”

Rangnick: It is one of the biggest clubs

The 63-year-old German asserted that he “could not have possibly turned down” the chance to become the interim manager at Manchester United. Rangnick has started his role as Manchester United’s new interim manager after his work permit and necessary paperwork were approved. Sunday’s game at home against Crystal Palace will be Rangnick’s first match as the new interim manager.

With Rangnick watching on at Old Trafford on Thursday night, Bruno Fernandes’ goal and a double from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Manchester United defeat Arsenal 3-2. He said: “We are talking about six and a half months, so we only have had one third of all the games played, and we have agreed on a two-year advisory role after those six and a half months. If a club like Manchester United contacts you for such a role, you cannot possibly turn it down.”

“It is one of the biggest clubs, if not the biggest club in the world. It is a big challenge, but I am more than happy to work with this group of players. I mean obviously I have watched the latest games, I also watched, out of interest, the games against Liverpool and Manchester City, so I am pretty well acquainted with what is going on at the club.

‘We want to make the most successful season that is possible’

Rangnick also informed that his main target is to bring balance to the side and figure out a way to help United stop leaking goals. “The major target for me is just to bring more balance to the team. We conceded two goals yesterday and if you look at the total number of goals conceded, it is on average of two a game. That is just too much,” he explained. “

“Those are not the kind of games you need every day. In football to me, it’s to minimise the coincidence factor. It’s about winning games and, in the end, I’m very ambitious. We want to make the most successful season that is possible. Right now, we have to be realistic. The difference between us and the top three is big. But let’s see.”





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