Manchester United set to finally appoint Ed Woodward replacement

Manchester United are reportedly targeting two potential world class candidates to take the role of sporting director at the club and replace Ed Woodward.

A football club doesn’t just need eleven top quality players on the pitch and a great coach. In the modern age, a football club needs much more than that. Ambitious owners, a strong board and a fierce and commanding figure directing every executive decision behind the scenes are crucial elements of a strong side. If that criteria is not met, clubs are often thrown into turmoil. Manchester United are a great example of exactly just that.

The Red Devils’ board have struggled as a consequence of their inept board. Ed Woodward has come under huge scrutiny for his failure to land key targets during the January and summer transfer window as well as his inability to establish a fair and clear wage structure at the club.

These factors have put a huge detriment in the Red Devils’ current status in world football and as a result they currently linger in the shadows of their arch rivals.

More from Red Devil Armada

• Aaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injury
• Manchester United break an unwanted record after Brighton loss
• Sofyan Amrabat set to miss game against Brighton
• Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to know
• Jadon Sancho set to train away from first team squad

The United board however are desperate to change that and are looking at options to replace Ed Woodward’s role and bringing in a sporting director.

Antero Henrique has been previously linked with the club and he seemed to be the leading candidate to take the role, however it seems that according to the Independent via the Daily Mail, Manchester United have identified another alluring target.

The Independent reports that as well as Antero Henrique the club are also looking at Ralf Rangnick of RB Leipzig as another potential candidate to appoint in the sporting director role.

Ralf Rangnick has been the pivotal figure in helping to establish RB Leipzig from the ground up with the German arriving in 2012 as a sporting director when the club were still in the lower leagues. During his time at Leipzig Ralf Rangnick even managed the club at some points and he has a clear understanding of football having worked in the game for decades. This is something that Ed Woodward did not have on his resume before arriving at Old Trafford.

Ralf Rangnick could be an even more inspiring appointment than Antero Henrique and the Red Devils fans should hope the club can attract Rangnick, who spent a year in England during his youth, to Old Trafford.

What do you think could Ralf Rangnick be a good appointment for Manchester United?