Home Blog Page 97

Manchester United’s top-four chances under Ralf Rangnick

0
Manchester United's top-four chances under Ralf Rangnick
Bildbyran

After long speculation and deliberation, Manchester United finally have one of the best managers in the market after the board chose to relieve Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of his duty in November.

Though, the German tactician is widely known for his team style of play called “GenGen Pressing style” which is much seen in Klopp’s Liverpool and Tuchel’s Chelsea in England, his style of play has become predominantly adopted in German football as the likes of Hansi Flick, and Julian Nagelsman’s teams are both examples.

The 63-year-old German tactician will be hoping to do the unthinkable within the short period he has to work with the Red Devils and get them competing for the top four in the current Premier League campaign which is set to run to May 2022.

However, with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City running riot at the moment, it’s hard to see any of these three teams not making the top four, even though the three teams will be having their player shipped off to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the New Year.

Beyond these three teams, we have the resurgent Arsenal who are finally looking like a team with purpose, while West Ham United retain their impressive run of form since last season intact despite losing to the Gunners this week.

There is one spot available to battle for, and the likes of Spurs, United, Arsenal, and West Ham will all be competing with each other, looking to finish in the final Champions League spot come May.

However, by the virtue of the last two Premier League games, Manchester United did not allow Crystal Palace to maintain their composure as United ran away with the game but their narrow win against Norwich showed the new United Manager exactly what his team needs to improve.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Bildbyran

Currently sitting in the fourth position are West Ham who is just a point ahead of the Old Trafford outfit after matchday sixteen, but it’s another thing entirely for the London-based side to maintain their high standard without dropping too many points in the remaining twenty-two league games.

West Ham are not a strong side beyond their starting eleven – though the Scottish tactician Moyes is doing working wonders with the London club, but unlike West Ham, Wolves and Spurs are not quite yet looking like challengers for the last Champions League spot.

With Antonio Conte in charge, Spurs are now looking like a team about to go on a long run with a newfound attitude under the guidance and winning mentality of the Italian tactician despite COVID postponements hampering their progress.

They are only two points behind Manchester United, despite playing two games less, however, Conte’s side is a lopsided team in the middle of the park and in the full-back positions which are crucial to Conte’s defensive-attacking transitions.

However, with Manchester United new appointment, there is a breath of fresh air as every player is quite clear with their agenda and end goal expected at the end of the season. Although the new coach has never worked in the Premier League, his impressive CV at Stuttgart and Leipzig is enough to convince the United’s board of his importance to their goal.

Beyond making United the club they once were in the Sir Alex Ferguson era, Rangnick will have to at least make the top four and surprisingly after his last two Premier League matches, the German tactician has successfully dragged United to just one point behind West Ham United.

However, there is not much time left for the United to improve and the chances of United qualifying for 2022/2023 Champions League is getting slimmer by the day during this COVID ravaged season.

Although, no one could have predicted that United would be competing for the top four after many pundits have chosen them to challenge Liverpool and City for the title. But with Chelsea’s dominance and counter pressing style, United are now behind the top three clubs according to the 2021/2022 Premier League sports picks at +15000 odds, which is closely followed by Spurs at +25000 odds

The beginning of Rangnick’s Manchester United tenure is now looking quite similar to Ole’s time when he was first recruited by the United as an interim manager – but with consistency and hard work, Ole’s team made it to the top four by the last day of the season.

The inconsistency of the other teams competing for the top four, and with Spurs’ ongoing COVID issues, Manchester United are looking favorites to make the last spot for the Champions League.

There is still a lot of games to come as the season unfolds, but with the right attitude Manchester United and with the resurgence of Jadon Sancho, and the return to form of Marcos Rashford, United now have enough firepower under the guidance of Rangnick to make a nuisance of themselves and finish in the top four come next May.

See More:

What Pogba and Van de Beek futures hold with Rangnick in charge

0
What Pogba and Van de Beek futures hold with Rangnick in charge
Bildbyran

New Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick is famous for his quick style, pressing football, and has said to have influenced a few of the current German managers with the likes of Klopp and Tuchel the most famous of his students.

After what we have seen in the last matches, it can be said that he has restored United’s confidence that some handicappers have predicted that United can bounce back from the poor run they suffered under Ole to be among the best once again, so  , it’s no surprise to see Manchester United being picked by the best online sportsbooks as the favorites to win their third league match on the bounce against Brighton at -125 odds.

Although Rangnick hasn’t previously worked in England, his sphere of influence can be found in the Premier League already.

Manchester United’s decision to appoint the 63- year old, initially as interim manager and then in an advisory role, is an indication that the club’s hierarchy is attempting to establish a clearly defined quick-playing-style football popularly called ‘Gegenpressing’ by fans.

For United’s new style of play to work, the strategy demands constant pressure to force their opponent high up the field in an aggressive and coordinated manner to force mistakes.

With Ragnick’s energetic style of play, designed to unsettle opponents and hit them on the counter-attack while they are vulnerable, it’s expected that only tactically disciplined players will be needed in the near future.

Bildbyran

As seen from Ragnick’s previous teams, he prefers quick, nimble players who are tidy on the ball and have got an eye for a good pass through the opponent’s lines.

While Pogba and Van De Beek have been touted as a pair of the best midfielders this decade with both having different passing abilities, Pogba loves long square passes while Van De Beek on the other hand prefers quick short passes, but it remains to be seen if they will be preferred by the new gaffer.

“Our idea is clear, it’s very, very similar to my coaching friend Jurgen Klopp,” he told the Coaches’ Voice YouTube channel. “Our Red Bull football is heavy metal, rock, and roll, it’s not a slow waltz. We hate square passes, back passes, just having the ball ourselves doesn’t make sense.”

Speaking about his second spell in charge of RB Leipzig (in 2018-19), Rangnick explained that 60 percent of the team’s goals scored that season came less than 10 seconds after they had won the ball from their opponents.

So intense are Rangnick’s demands, that at Hoffenheim, Salzburg, and Leipzig, the vast majority of players signed were aged 23 or under. A young Roberto Firmino was his final recruit at Hoffenheim, while more recently Sadio Mane, Joshua Kimmich, and Erling Haaland have passed through one of Red Bull’s clubs.

Rangnick’s track record for identifying young players in his role as a sporting director and nurturing their talent as a coach should stand United in good stead given their aging squad.

Marcus Rashford, 23, Mason Greenwood, 20, and in particular, Jadon Sancho, 21, should all benefit from his expertise. Donny van de Beek, 24, is another who may benefit.

Pogba, 28, with a long history of demanding transfers to new clubs, he might be allowed to seek his future elsewhere under the German tactician.

Looking at United’s last two matches, it is clear he means business, forward passes, quick play and exceptional tactical discipline are the real basics under Rangnick.

The problem with the manager’s formation is that Pogba doesn’t exactly fit into any of the roles that Rangnick is looking to make use of.

While some may argue that Pogba is one of the best passers out there, it is clear that he lacks the tactical discipline both defensively and attack-wise needed under his new manager, especially defending in his half.

Several times recently he has cost United by either failing to track back or press forward when it is clear he should have done so Pogba lost possession 602 times under Mourinho in the 2018/2019 season with only two players having lost the ball more.

He cost Ole several times as well and in this season’s first Champion’s League match where United lost 1-2, Pogba lost possession 10 times before half time.

While he has all the skills needed to play in any world-class team, the French midfielder’s lack of discipline might be his greatest undoing, with the constant reminder of his agent demanding transfers to Real Madrid and his position in jeopardy, now might be the best time for Pogba to seek a move.

Ex-Ajax Donny Van De Beek who was an integral member of their spectacular 2019 season has also failed to impress in his new club with the midfielder struggling to get game time.

The new gaffer has said he intends to use a 4-2-2-2, stating he prefers to use a double 10 as seen in the game against Palace fielding Bruno and Sancho in that role and this is good news for Van de Beek who has already admitted he doesn’t care what position he plays, he just wants to play football.

Considering his age, Donny will certainly get his chance soon either to play as a no 4 or no 10 and it is only left to see if he will take his chances or not – At 24, De Beek hasn’t even reached the peak of his career and it’s certainly hoped that Rangnick’s ‘gegenpressing’ style will finally bring the best out of him.

Though, the two players in question are talented and have the ability to hit to go up through the gears with any team, but with Fred and McTominay constant pressing style, it will be difficult to displace them both and with Pogba not likely to commit to United’s future, Van De Beek might finally get his chance, but now his obstacle could be the resurgence of Sancho.

See More: Top 5 Manchester United Transfer Targets 20212

Former United assistant manager Kieran McKenna gets first manager role at Ipswich Town

0
Former United assistant manager Kieran McKenna gets first manager role at Ipswich Town

Former Manchester United assistant first-team coach Kieran McKenna has secured his first role in management at League One side Ipswich Town. The 35-year-old was appointed as Paul Cook’s successor in the Portman Road hot seat. After spells as assistant first-team coach and first-team coach under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer respectively, McKenna said it was the “right time” for him to “make the step” into football management.

McKenna himself describes he and Ipswich as a “really good match”, with the Blues the “right type of profile” for the Northern Irishman as his first role in club management. Reports suggest that United reluctantly accepted the advances from Ipswich Town CEO Mark Ashton. It is said that Ralf Rangnick was keen for McKenna to remain as part of the first-team coaching staff at Carrington, but the departures of Solskjaer and Carrick may have played a part in McKenna’s thought process.

McKenna is joined at Ipswich by fellow United first-team coach Martyn Pert, who will operate as McKenna’s number two. McKenna said that Pert is someone he can “trust” on a personal and professional level. McKenna also hopes to make an announcement on another addition to his coaching setup in the coming days.

Paul Cook pays the price for poor start

The Tractor Boys endured a dismal first half of the 2021/22 League One campaign. After significant fanfare regarding the club’s 19 summer signings, hopes of promotion back to the Championship were high. However, Paul Cook’s side was plagued by inconsistency, with flashes of brilliance interspersed with moments of defensive madness.

Many League One pundits were left scratching their heads as to why Ipswich were failing to perform. The squad had been dubbed the best League One had ever seen by many, with proven internationals such as Bersant Celina and Sam Morsy added to the roster. With the Suffolk side ten points off the top six at present, hopes of a playoff bid are some way off. This proved the undoing of Paul Cook, who was fired after a dismal goalless draw in their FA Cup 2nd Round home tie with League Two strugglers Barrow.

Ipswich and McKenna looking to take a leaf out of Blackpool’s book

Former United assistant manager Kieran McKenna gets first manager role at Ipswich Town

Nevertheless, the impact of McKenna’s arrival could spark a rapid upturn in fortunes. You only have to look at Blackpool last season to see a revival is possible in the second half of the League One campaign. Neil Critchley’s Tangerines had just one more point than Town at this stage of the 2020/21 season. They eventually secured promotion via the playoffs, so it’s been proven that it can be done. Town have drifted out to as big as 14/1 to get promotion this term, which could prove a value wager after McKenna’s appointment. Given the depth and calibre of players within the Ipswich squad, if McKenna and Pert can get them firing they’ll be a dangerous animal in the coming months.

With their deep squad of rock-solid players for this level and above, Ipswich are one of the teams best placed to handle the effects of fixture congestion on teams in the current climate. With postponements almost certainly on the horizon, Ipswich and McKenna will be able to rotate and ensure their players get the minimum 96 hours of rest and recuperation between games that academics deem necessary to maintain player intensity.

Towards the end of McKenna’s association with United, reports suggested he was an unwanted figure among the United first team. A source close to the first team said that McKenna was “dry and school-teacherly” in his coaching style, with some players “baffled” as to how he had secured a position of such seniority. The Daily Mail claimed that the 35-year-old did not command the full respect of the United squad.

Nevertheless, Rob Dawson of ESPN revealed that McKenna’s role in the United dressing room was integral to Solskjaer’s management team. Dawson said that McKenna played a “significant role” on the training pitch and was also asked to provide pre-match team talks on the eve of a big game. When you consider that McKenna was giving articulate team talks at the world’s biggest club at such a young age, he should be more than confident in leading this Ipswich Town team forward.

Although social media is full of criticism of McKenna’s time at Old Trafford, many within the walls of Carrington wish him well and expect him to return to the top in the years ahead.

Read More:

Ralf Rangnick confirms Anthony Martial’s departure from Man United

0
Ralf Rangnick confirms Anthony Martial's departure from Man United

Martial has been linked with Barcelona, Sevilla and Newcastle.

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has confirmed Anthony Martial’s departure from Old Trafford. He cleared that the Frenchman wants to leave the club next year.

His agent previously admitted that Martial was keen to seek pastures new amid his struggles in United. He is not getting enough time at Old Trafford since the arrival of Ronaldo and Sancho.

BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone quotes Rangnick as saying, “Anthony wants to go. He told me he feels it is the right time for a change.”

“This is understandable. As far as I know, there has been no offer from other club. As long as this is the case, he will stay.”

Martial has been linked with moves to Barcelona, Sevilla and Newcastle United ahead of the January transfer window. The former Monaco starlet has recorded 79 goals and 50 assists in 268 games for Man United. He has only one goal this season from 10 appearances.

See More:

Man United could sign £113m Portuguese attacker in 2022

0
Man United could sign £113m Portuguese attacker in 2022

The Portuguese has played alongside Ronaldo and Fernandes before in national outfit.

Man United are planning to sign a £113m attacker in the next transfer window. According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Joao Felix could be the best pick and play a vital role with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford.

Ralf Rangnick is giving his big focus to the January transfer window and it will give him an opportunity to add reinforcements to the squad.

According to Spanish media outlet AS, via Sport Witness, Red Devils are one of four Premier League clubs to have made enquiries over Atletico Madrid ace’s availability.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle United are also on the radar to sign the 22-year-old. Felix joined La Liga giants for a £113million fee from the Portuguese side Benfica.

His contract with Atletico Madrid will expire in the summer of 2026 and Atletico inserted a release clause worth close to £300million into the deal.

Meanwhile, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told Cadena Ser – via the Mirror – that the Portuguese is not itching for a move and is ‘non-transferable’.

Felix has played alongside Ronaldo and Fernandes before in Portugal outfit. O’Rourke feels Felix could seal a switch to the Man United during next month’s transfer window.

He spoke to GIVEMESPORT: “It’s something that I would definitely see as being possible.

“They’ve got the Portuguese connection with Fernandes and Ronaldo, so that might help Felix settle in if he were to make the move to England.”

See More:

Marcus Rashford claims United is back to full strength

0
Marcus Rashford claims United is back to full strength
Bildbyran

Manchester United camp have been hit with a COVID outbreak recently.

The Red Devils have been forced to postpone matches against Brighton and Brentford following positive coronavirus tests among the players and staff.

They are currently sitting 6th in the top-flight and are five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

The squad has returned to training and manager Ralf Rangnick claims that the squad is in a good place ahead of their clash against Newcastle United this weekend.

“We’ve pretty much got the full squad back, which is a positive going into the week,” Rashford told the club’s official website.

“Everyone is very positive at the minute. We were all disappointed when the last game got cancelled but, at the end of the day, there’s nothing you can really do about it.

“We have to just focus on the next game that will be played and hopefully that game goes ahead. I definitely enjoy this time of year. I think the way you start the season and the way you play, and the results you get around the Christmas period, are probably the two most important points [in the season].

“So, if we have a good Christmas period now, then we can keep that momentum going and that will take you into the big games where the trophies are, come the end of the season.

 

See More: Top 5 Manchester United Players Leaving In 20212

Man Utd urged to replace Barca target Cavani with Mason Greenwood

0
Man Utd urged to replace Barca target Cavani with Mason Greenwood

Cavani is having limited game time at Old Trafford this season.

Manchester United is looking to replace Edinson Cavani with Mason Greenwood. Television pundit Kevin Campbell (via FootballInsider.com) feels Uruguay striker’s rumoured transfer target for Barcelona would open up space for Mason Greenwood.

The Uruguay international is having limited game time at Old Trafford this season and the club would allow the former PSG star to complete his switch to Camp Nou.

Some reports from Spanish outlet Sport have claimed Cavani has already accepted Barca’s contract proposal as part of his bid to secure regular first-team football away from Manchester.

Man United striker has made just eight appearances across all competitions since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 34-year-old striker will soon move to Camp Nou next year and his departure may leaveRalf Rangnick short of attacking options.

According to Campbell, Man United should use Greenwood as a go-to option to fill the void instead of diving back into the transfer market.

“I think Cavani’s age is perhaps going against him,” the former Arsenal forward told Football Insider.

“Ronaldo is the main man now so do they really need Cavani?

“Ralf Rangnick will want to change things a little bit. It’s important to remember the likes of Greenwood has not got a lot of game time recently and he has not done anything wrong. He has hardly had a game of late, so the replacement is already there.

“Maybe Rangnick has told Cavani he will not get much game time this season and if that’s the case it’s right for him to move on.”

See More:

Have United finally got their man in Ralf Rangnick?

0
Have United finally got their man in Ralf Rangnick?
Bildbyran

Manchester United has not won the league title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 which has brought about several changes in and around the hierarchy at Old Trafford.

Several managers have tried, yet failed, to bring back the glory days to the club with different philosophies and ideas of how football, in general, should be played.

The major target for United of getting closer to the English Premier League title looks further away than ever and winning a place among the elite of European football once again currently seems a long way off.

Though David Moyes got the nod immediately after Sir Alex Ferguson it was obvious the role was more demanding than he envisaged, as he was later relieved to make way for the Dutchman; Louis van Gaal, who took the role permanently into the 2014/2015 season. LVG was able to assemble a team of well-known, reputable players from all over the world which gave the fans high hopes of what was to come.

His tenure came to an end after his first season success where he finished in the top four but couldn’t keep up with it in the following season finishing outside the top four even though he triumphed in the FA cup, bringing home his only trophy with the Red Devils.

Moreover, the appointment of Mourinho had what has arguably been termed as the best post-Sir Alex Ferguson Era – winning three trophies in his first season. He then managed to finish second the following season which was seen as an improvement on the underwhelming records of their previous coaches.

This good run soon ended for him in the December as United were lingering around 6th in the league and a whopping 19 points behind league leaders Liverpool, before Ole took over the team as interim manager to lift the team which immediately took a positive turn with a winning run, which certainly rounded off their season perfectly.

He had his squad playing the United way and gave the fans some renewed hope before the Norwegian was appointment permanently, Ole was truly at the wheel.

Though, the former United striker, in his first full season at Old Trafford, showed glimpses of more progress with a top-four finish and four cup semi-finals, his second full season was met with questions as United were eliminated from the Champions’ League group stage before their Europa League final loss to Villarreal.

Though Ole left United a fortnight ago after their humiliating defeat to Watford, Rangnick was justly appointed to salvage the United’s season and get them competing at the very highest level once again

Before Rangnick, Ole’s United was one of the early favorites to win the league behind City and Liverpool, thanks to the acquisition of Ronaldo, but with few recent points dropped and inconsistent performances, United’s chance of winning the league have dropped behind Chelsea with odds at 150-1. But, United have the tools, the players and the talent to revert that, so if you are looking to get in the action it would be wise to look at the betting odds in the best sportsbooks and check all the great matchups coming up.

 Cristiano Ronaldo
Bildbyran

German managers have become a considerable force in club football over recent years with their successes in Europe’s top leagues and the UCL. Chelsea’s triumph in the Champions League last season has been largely down to the tactical prowess of Thomas Tuchel.

Jurgen Klopp on the other hand, has kept the German flag flying for Liverpool since he moved to Anfield in 2015 with impressive Premier League and Champions League success in recent times.

German managers bring the best out in the German leagues and German football teams have shown recently that their domestic success can be achieved in other leagues, and so it was no surprise when another Rangnick was announced to be taking over management of the team for the remainder of the season.

His record at sides such as RB Leipzig, Schalke O4 and Hoffenheim among others have led to questions being asked among the United faithful as to whether United have finally got their man.

It remains to be seen how his tenure turns out and as he has said in a recent interview, it will be difficult to turn down an offer if he was asked to extend his stay beyond the end of the current season.

However, from the lackadaisical play under the previous manager, the team is now playing with such intensity and compactness, it gives them an advantage over other teams with which was greatly evident during their recent games against Crystal Palace and Norwich.

Ralf Rangnick is currently shadowing the path of the previous coaches with a great start to his career at the Theatre of Dreams, but his team will need to be alert when facing their next opponents despite the herald of stars that has the German tactician.

However, with the rejuvenation of Arsenal, the consistency of West Ham, and the resurgence of Spurs under Conte, Manchester United will need to be at their best to clinch the last automatic qualifying spot for next season’s Champions League qualification behind Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City.

See More: Top 5 Manchester United Transfer Targets 20212

Julian Alvarez responds to Manchester United links

0
ulian Alvarez responds to Manchester United links

Julian Alvarez has scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 21 appearances this season.

River Plate’s Julian Alvarez has responded to Manchester United links. The 21-year-old has stated that he will consider his future with the club in January, amid reported interest from the Premier League club.

The young forward has established himself as one of the future prospects in Argentina. River Plate star has scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 21 appearances this season. The Argentina international helped River Plate to win their first domestic title in seven years.

Alvarez’s current contract will expire in December 2022. His release clause is £17m and big European clubs are planning to sign him next summer. Man United will also face tasks with Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

The 21-year-old forward is expected to be on the move in one of the upcoming transfer windows. He said to the press after River Plate’s Trofeo de Campeones triumph, via the Metro, “Frankly, I don’t know what will happen, now I’m only thinking about celebrating. In January we will see.”

He also talked about his chances of representing Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, “We all know how much the World Cup means for a player. When I make my decision I’ll choose what’s best for me.”

Some other reports stat that United have already registered their interest in Alvarez, as they aim to move ahead of their rivals in the race to sign the young forward.

See More:

Anthony Martial needs a fresh start at Manchester United

0
Anthony Martial needs a fresh start at Manchester United
Bildbyran

Dimitar Berbatov believes Martial should leave Old Trafford in the summer.

The French striker has struggled for minutes at Man United this season and clocked just 202 minutes of Premier League football.

He had his best goalscoring season in 2019/20 with 19 Premier League goals but since then he has failed to live up to the standards.

“I’m not surprised that Anthony Martial wants to leave Manchester United,” Berbatov told Betfair. ” He is fit and ready to go, but he isn’t playing games. Martial is a good player and other clubs will want him. I don’t blame him if he is looking to go somewhere else.”

“Martial should have an honest conversation with Rangnick, because that way the player will know exactly where he stands in the team and if he doesn’t like what he hears then he should ask to leave.

“Marital is in a difficult situation. Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani are all ahead of him.

“It’s a very difficult situation to be in, but based on my experience, Martial needs to look for an exit and restart his career somewhere else. He needs to go somewhere he is loved and respected, he needs to feel that the manager trusts him.”

 

See More: Top 5 Manchester United Transfer Targets 2022