Star Ralf Rangnick wanted Man Utd to sign for free now hailed as ‘world’s best centre-back’

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Manchester United had a plan when Ralf Rangnick was brought into the club in late 2021 and failed to see it through.

We should be towards the end of the second full year of Ralf Rangnick‘s two-year consultancy at Manchester United right now. Instead, it never even got started, with the German boss ushered out of the club before it could properly begin.

Some judged Rangnick on his interim spell in charge. This was not his element. Rangnick became world renowned due to his role as sporting director, and not one as a manager. And there are more than a few areas where the club should have listened to him.

The one player he rated really highly was Anthony Elanga. United sold him for just £15 million, and saw him give a match-winning assist against the Red Devils at the weekend.

Rangnick gave United advantage for Antonio Rudiger

Ralf Rangnick was not permitted to sign a single player for Manchester United during his only transfer window, nor was he able to influence the following, chaotic summer of 2022.

This was a missed opportunity, not just for Julian Alvarez, the striker he wanted to sign who became a World Cup winner months later.

One player he was linked with signing was centre-back Antonio Rudiger, who was coming towards the end of his spell at Chelsea, with his contract expiring.

Rudiger eventually signed with Real Madrid. Yet in the months before, Manchester United were linked, with Ralf Rangnick cited as the key man.

BILD reported Rangnick worked with Rudiger’s agent and half brother Sahr Senesie and holds a strong relationship with the German’s representative. 

Rudiger now hailed as the best

Rudiger is thriving at Real Madrid, and this week he was hailed by 2014 World Cup winner Mesut Ozil.

Ozil wrote on X: “Prime Toni Rüdiger is just the world’s best defender at the moment  Incredible season for my former club Real Madrid. You can also ask Haaland or Osimhen how good he is! Look what has happened with Chelsea after he left … they are missing his mentality every day …”

Manchester United did go and sign Lisandro Martinez the same summer, but could have also added Rudiger into the mix on a free transfer. What a pairing they could have been together.

The Red Devils are currently looking at hiring a new sporting director and head of recruitment who could help make smart decisions in the transfer market. This will be long overdue.