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Football

27th Nov 2021

Paul Merson questions Man United decision to appoint Ralf Rangnick

Callum Boyle

“A lot of people say Man United are lucky. I’m not so sure about that”

Paul Merson has questioned Manchester United’s decision to try and appoint Ralf Rangnick as interim manager until the end of the season.

United look set to appoint Rangnick on a deal until the end of the season before moving him into a consultancy role, with a deal set to be confirmed by the end of the weekend.

Merson not convinced about Rangnick.

But Merson isn’t overly convinced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s replacement and highlights his lack of managerial experience in England or at a ‘top’ club.

“I know I’m hearing great words and people saying how great he is-  but he’s never managed in England,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“He’s never managed one of the top teams in the world. Why’s that?

“That’s what I want to know. Why has no one else come in for him when managers have been up and that’s what I always look at.”

Merson then went on to acknowledge the current Lokomotiv Moscow boss’ work in making teams better but said this is a different task from any of his other previous assignments.

Merson: It will be difficult at Man United for Rangnick.

“I hear great things about him and he’s going to press and he’s hard-working and turned lesser teams into real contenders. That’s a lot different.

“It’s a lot different getting a Schalke or a Hoffenheim and getting them to a certain stage, but when you’re asked to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world and they’ve already got superstars and you’ve got to make them play.

“It’s alright at Schalke and Hoffenheim because they’re going to listen and want to get there. These players are there and you’ve got to get them to go again.

“I think this is going to be difficult. I think this is going to be a lot harder than people I think. From what I’m hearing it’s like a ‘give me’.

“I hear a lot of people say Man United are lucky. I’m not so sure about that.”

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