Ralf Rangnick hints he’s already reached decision on who should be next Man Utd boss

Ralf Rangnick has revealed he has strong feelings about who should be the next permanent manager of Manchester United but has yet to discuss the matter with Old Trafford officials.

The German strategist was named interim manager in November, with the understanding that he will return to the sidelines as a consultant after his stint in charge.

Rangnick will be joining a team that already comprises Football Director John Murtough, Technical Director Darren Fletcher, and Chief Negotiator Matt Judge.

Murtaugh has previously revealed that United has begun a “thorough process” to select a new head coach, who will be the club’s fifth permanent hire since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

Rangnick is expected to have some control over who succeeds him in the summer, with sources claiming that his favored candidate is Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.

However, speaking ahead of Sunday’s derby against Manchester City, the 63-year-old admitted that he has yet to hold conversations, though he does have an idea of who he would select.

“So far, nobody, not just John Murtough, but nobody else, we haven’t addressed that discussion in the last weeks and months since I’ve been here,” Rangnick told Sky Sports.

“I have an opinion [on who should accept the job], but we haven’t discussed it yet, so this is all I can tell you.”

“To begin with, I don’t know him as a person. Obviously, I’ve seen the growth at Ajax since he’s been there.

“I know a little bit about his work with Bayern Munich and that he is one of Europe’s finest coaches.” That is self-evident, but there are a few more outstanding coaches.”

Rangnick hasn’t fully ruled himself out of the running, having previously stated that if he does a good enough job during his stint, he may be able to endorse himself.

“I know what I said, that maybe at some point, in the end, I might suggest myself as an advisor,” Rangnick said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“It’s not the end of the season, and we still have 11 games left, possibly more in the Champions League.

“Right now, we’ve got enough to do to prepare for Sunday [against Manchester City], and that’s where my attention is.”

Murtough has stated that the new manager will be entrusted with restoring United’s prominence and assisting them in competing for prizes, with their trophy drought expected to reach five years by the start of the following season.

“We realize that consistency is critical as we seek for a top-four finish this season,” Murtough said on a conference call with investors earlier this week.

“However, I want to emphasize that this is not Manchester United’s ultimate goal, and everyone at the club is focused on competing for the top titles.

“We are now undergoing a comprehensive process to recruit a new permanent manager who will take over this summer, with the goal of getting us back to competing for those domestic and European crowns.”