Ralf Rangnick was recently confirmed as the interim manager of Manchester United until the end of the season. The German coach has been brought in at a vital point in the club’s season in order to overturn their disappointing start to the campaign. Sitting at sixth in the Premier League table, Manchester United have one of the worst defensive records in the English top flight this season.
The Red Devils conceded five goals against Liverpool at Old Trafford earlier this season, and then conceded another four goals against Watford at Vicarage Road a few weeks ago. Overall, no other side in the Premier League top ten right now have conceded more goals than them.
Rangnick realizes the magnitude of the task he faces at Old Trafford, and wants to start to rebuild by strengthening the defence.
In his first press-conference as the manager of Manchester United, the former RB Leipzig manager revealed that he is well aware about the defensive problems at the club.
Rangnick has a major problem to solve at Manchester United
The German coach believes that the Red Devils have been conceding too many goals this season. As reported by The Sun, he said:
"“If you look at the total number of goals conceded, it averages almost two per game. This is just too much.“My approach is to help the team to get more balance, more control of the game.”"
Ralf Rangnick’s first game in charge of Manchester United was a 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday. It was a morale boosting win for the Red Devils for sure, who managed to keep a rare clean sheet as well, which must be very encouraging for the German manager.
Moreover, the team played with much more intensity and pressed higher up the pitch, winning the ball back on numerous occasions. They looked a bit scrappy at times, but managed to get the decisive goal to give them all the three points. A rebuild seems to be underway.
Is Rangnick the man to turn their season around and perhaps even deliver some silverware? Time will tell.