The German had his decisions openly described as ‘bad’ by one player
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick was reportedly nicknamed ‘specs’ this season, while some players ‘didn’t give a s**t about his advice’.
Erik ten Hag, who was unveiled to the press on Monday afternoon, has a number of challenges ahead of him as United’s new manager, one of which will be to turn around the negative dressing room culture.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils squad has been described as a ‘toxic mix of backbiting and spitefulness’ after an underwhelming campaign that saw the club record their lowest points tally of the Premier League era.
According to the report, ‘bully behaviour’ has been directed towards interim head coach Rangnick, who was nicknamed ‘specs’ by people close to one of the United players.
🗞 Those close to one player referred to Rangnick as 'specs' behind his back. The word was Lingard and Rashford received 'no instructions, no game plan, no position plan'. "They didn't have a fu****g clue what they were doing," a source said. [Samuel Luckhurst, MEN]
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) May 23, 2022
The German also had his decisions openly described as ‘bad’ by one player, while others moaned about him talking to them ‘like a child’. They also suggested they ‘did not give a s****’ about his advice.
Jesse Lingard ‘not fussed’ by public sharing
Following the Red Devils’ 3-1 loss to Arsenal, United legend Paul Scholes revealed that he had spoken to Lingard – one of the players expected to be moved on in the summer – who confirmed that the atmosphere inside the United dressing room was a ‘disaster’.
He said on DAZN: “I had a quick chat with Jesse [Lingard] the other day.
“I’m sure he won’t mind me saying — the dressing room is just a disaster.”
However, the report adds that Lingard was ‘not fussed’ about the public sharing of his words – even if Scholes admitted that he regretted revealing his conversation with the England international.
Rashford and Lingard ‘given no instructions’
It is also claimed that Lingard and Marcus Rashford were given no instructions when they were sent on as substitutes during the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City in March. ‘They didn’t have a f*****g clue what they were doing,’ was the verdict of one source.
United will begin their pre-season on June 27, with the new Premier League campaign starting on the weekend of August 6, 2022.
Related links:
- Paul Scholes admits he ‘regrets’ revealing conversation with Jesse Lingard
- Erik ten Hag casts doubt on major overhaul of Man United squad
- Edinson Cavani shows middle finger to Man United fans following defeat
