Manchester United’s poor start to the season has increased the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose days in the Old Trafford dugout appear to be numbered.
United have now lost six games in all competitions, have been eliminated from the Carabao Cup, and are nine points behind Premier League leaders, Chelsea. As a result, several high-profile names have been connected with the job of succeeding Solskjaer, including Ralf Rangnick, the current sporting director of Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia.
Rangnick is a well-known football mind who is credited with revolutionizing current German tactics, bringing high pressing, and inspiring a new generation of great tacticians in his nation.
Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel, and Julian Naglesmann have all based their ideologies on Rangnick’s ideas, they also spoke about his influence on their tactics.
His high-octane, pressing-oriented style is built around tactically fast players who are usually deployed in a 4-2-2-2 formation that switches to a 4-4-2 when they lose possession.
With that in mind, here’s how United under Rangnick if he succeeds Solskjaer in the coming months…
Despite David de Gea’s strong start to the season, Rangnick’s teams demand a sweeper-keeper due to their high defensive line, which means Dean Henderson, who is more proactive, would likely be favored over the Spaniard.
A familiar back four would line up behind the 24-year-old, with one notable exception.
While Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, and Raphael Varane are nearly guaranteed to preserve their spots, Diogo Dalot, with his stronger attacking ability, might complete the defensive unit ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
There will most certainly be some new faces in the engine room as well. Rangnick would value Fred’s ability to win back the ball and dispossess opponents, while Donny van de Beek’s mobility and tactical sense, which Juan Mata deemed “quite brilliant,” might see him become a regular starter.
Rangnick, on the other hand, would have the most important decisions to make in the attack. When Jadon Sancho was at Borussia Dortmund under Lucien Favre’s direction, he showed a great knowledge of pressing, which means he might get the nod ahead of Mason Greenwood, with Marcus Rashford on the opposite flank.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s low pressing rate may let Rangnick choose Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes in front and the Portuguese striker will be pushed to the bench.
It will be a way different from Solskjaer’s current tactics. Rangnick’s formation will let our players play more attacking and fast-paced football.
