Interim boss Rangnick downplays talk of unrest at Man Utd

MANCHESTER − Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has downplayed reports of dressing room discontent at Old Trafford, saying unrest is inevitable with a deep squad.

The German has suggested the squad he inherited is too big with many players unhappy at their lack of playing time.

United suffered a demoralising 1-0 home defeat to Wolves on Monday that could prove costly in their bid to finish in the Premier League’s top four.

The Mirror newspaper reported last Thursday that as many as 17 players wanted to leave the club, who are 22 points behind leaders Manchester City.

“If you have that many players and ten outfield players can play and three being substituted, then, of course, you have quite a number of players − in our case, 12, 13, 14 players, who don’t even play, or not even being in the squad,” said Rangnick last Friday.

“Then, those players are not happy about that situation. It’s obvious, it’s clear.

“In total, we have a big squad. I tend to explain to players every two or three weeks why they are not playing but, obviously, I cannot do that (for) every game and that is an issue in our team as well as in other clubs.”

Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani are the two highest-profile stars out of contract at the end of the season.

Anthony Martial looks set to leave in January − with Sevilla reportedly close to agreeing a loan deal for the France international.

Dean Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Donny van de Beek could also move on in search of more first-team action.

“We have players with contracts expiring in the summer,” said Rangnick. “We have, maybe also, one or two players, who still want to leave although they are under contract. 

“It’s about the players dealing with that in a professional way. Everybody has the chance and the option to show in training, to show up and then get a chance to play.

“If this is not the case then, of course − the player, together with the club and the agents − they need to discuss the situation.”

Monday’s FA Cup third-round clash with Aston Villa could have been an opportunity for Rangnick to use some of his fringe players.

But the pressure is on the German not to crash out of the competition at the first hurdle after suffering the first defeat of his short reign against Wolves. – AFP, January 13, 2022