Ralf Rangnick has shown during his short stint as Manchester United interim boss that he is a straight shooter.
He does not play games in the media, and in post-game interviews and press conferences he has no filter, telling reporters and fans exactly what he feels they ought to know.
The ones who do not seem to like this are the players. Good, is the view many will take. These pampered stars have been over-protected for too long while under-delivering.
But if Rangnick wants to keep a happy dressing room, perhaps he recognises he needs to adapt his methods.
New advisor hired
The Mail reports Rangnick has hired a new media advisor, a name which may be recognisable to several football fans.
German football expert Raphael Honigstein has taken a six-month sabbatical from The Athletic to now work as Rangnick’s ‘personal media advisor’.
The report states Honigstein will “provide advice and briefing notes to Rangnick” to assist him with media duties at United.
So will this mean the end of straight shooting Rangnick? Probably not. But he may start becoming a little bit more choosy with his words.
The Mason Greenwood news has put United into unchartered waters as a club and in a foreign country, Rangnick sensibly feels he needs a little assistance.
There have also been notable mix-ups and clashes with Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard, with both players using social media to try and discredit comments made by Rangnick in his press conferences regarding their availability.
The most recent situation saw Lingard dispute he was had asked to take the day off, while Rangnick stuck to his comments after the Middlesbrough loss and said he wanted the player to be available.
If indeed Rangnick was undermined by a staff member at United who gave Lingard the time off, then it’s no wonder he feels like he needs a little assistance.
Rangnick may well have been right in both of his assertions about Lingard and Martial, but he could have avoided both situations by choosing not to give the information he chose to.
We could see a more tentative Rangnick in press conferences as the season progresses. Although don’t bet on it.
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