Manchester United need seven new signings to address Ralf Rangnick’s concerns

It doesn’t take a genius to know what Manchester United needs to alter by reading between the lines of Ralf Rangnick’s recent statements.

Perhaps the German privately wishes he’d been granted cash to begin the process of upgrading the United team in January; in any case, he’s realistic enough to understand that the club wants a new long-term manager and that his own position will be solely advising. As a result of his role as temporary manager, he has already begun to do so.

Rangnick is correct in mentioning the transfer window and the necessity to “improve” the team in his post-Man City comments. It informs the club’s hierarchy to the deep-rooted flaws that are ailing the club and leaving a massive gap between United and the clubs they aim to catch one day, such as City and Liverpool. It doesn’t take a genius to know what Manchester United needs to alter by reading between the lines of Ralf Rangnick’s recent statements.

Perhaps the German privately wishes he’d been granted cash to begin the process of upgrading the United team in January; in any case, he’s realistic enough to understand that the club wants a new long-term manager and that his own position will be solely advising. As a result of his role as temporary manager, he has already begun to do so.

Rangnick is correct in mentioning the transfer window and the necessity to “improve” the team in his post-Man City comments. It informs the club’s hierarchy to the deep-rooted flaws that are ailing the club and leaving a massive gap between United and the clubs they aim to catch one day, such as City and Liverpool.

It can’t be done with the team as it is right now. Rangnick is aware of this and appears to believe that a top-four finish is out of reach for this disjointed team.

Too many players (Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, and Edinson Cavani, for example) are already looking ahead to the summer, knowing they will be departing. Others (Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Harry Maguire) have been far from their best this season and look preoccupied. That’s before you include loaned-out duo Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek, whose futures are unknown, or the unfavorable trio of Dean Henderson, Nemanja Matic, and Eric Bailly. Then there’s the case of Cristiano Ronaldo (more on that later).

Chris Sutton isn’t normally a pundit whose opinion matters much to Manchester United supporters — and he shouldn’t be — but his prediction that United should sell 10 players this summer wasn’t far off. When you consider Pogba, Lingard, Cavani, and Juan Mata going when their contracts expire, as well as the fact that Martial and Van de Beek will leave, that’s six players who will need to be replaced. Each summer, United normally signs three or four players at the most.

Perhaps Martial will return if his loan stays at Sevilla is successful and if Ronaldo decides to leave after a single year in Manchester, which is becoming more likely by the week. In any case, with Cavani departing, not to mention the Mason Greenwood scenario, United will want a fresh young striker, as Rangnick has emphasized. No. 9 Martial cannot be the first choice.

Signing three midfielders, a backup goalkeeper to replace Henderson, and that striker should just be the beginning. Then there are the defensive difficulties that may drive United to look for fresh signings at center-back and right-back.

The club may have to cut its losses and move away from high-priced targets like Declan Rice and Erling Haaland. But here is when Rangnick’s knowledge comes in handy.

United now has the appropriate individual to assist them in the transfer market. It has now been revealed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s “culture reboot” was constructed on sand, and it is Rangnick’s responsibility to supervise a comprehensive reconstruction.

Sometimes ripping things up and starting again is the best choice. Ralf, you’re a jerk.

United’s possible 25-man roster for next season:

Goalkeepers: De Gea, Heaton, and a new goalie.

Dalot/Wan-Bissaka, new right-back, Varane, Lindelof, Maguire, new center-back, Shaw, Telles

Midfield: Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Garner, and Hannibal are the three new midfielders.

Forwards: Sancho, Ronaldo/Martial, Elanga, Rashford, and Amad, the new striker.