Mike Phelan has been asked by Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick to help him fix a disorganized locker room at Old Trafford.
Many questioned why Phelan stayed at United after Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November, but he now plays a critical role in healing ties within the group and preventing another season of misery.
Towards the end of Solskjaer’s term as manager, players were criticized for their body language and performances. Rangnick’s rule has started with the same problems, with the German coach winning just three of his six games in charge thus far.
After Monday’s home loss to Wolves, Luke Shaw’s moving post-match interview raised questions about the team’s present mood.
Rangnick has also been vocal about his team’s lack of physical intensity and unmotivated body language, which he believes gives opponents an advantage. After the exits of Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna, there has been some doubt about Phelan’s role at the club.
However, according to The Telegraph, Phelan has now been tasked with using his experience to fix inside matters and boost player morale.
Mike Phelan recently met with Rangnick for a two-hour discussion about current issues off the field and division in the dressing room.
Phelan has been a part of United on and off since 1989, both as a player and as a coach, and only a month before Solskjaer’s departure, he secured a contract extension until 2024.
Rangnick has added Chris Armas, the former head coach of Toronto FC, and Sascha Lense, a sports psychologist, to his backroom team in Manchester.
Phelan, on the other hand, has kept his job, and despite the uncertainty following Solskjaer’s departure, he is highly regarded at the club. With Sir Alex Ferguson, he won three Premier League titles and led Manchester United to the 2011 Champions League final.
There’s a lot of work to be done behind the scenes at Carrington, and Phelan, with his good ties with the players, could be the man for the job. Rangnick’s team is now eighth in the Champions League qualifying race, behind Arsenal, West Ham United, and Tottenham Hotspur.
A week on the training field before the FA Cup match against Aston Villa on Monday will hopefully pay off in the effort to get back on track.
