Bookies have their say on Ralf Rangnick's chances of succeeding at Manchester United
- Joe Hewlett
- 2 December 2021
Rangnick takes over with Manchester United off the pace in the Premier League and struggling for identity. We look at what he can hope to achieve in his six months at the helm.
Ralf Rangnick has been named the new interim manager of Manchester United on a six-month deal.
It is a deal that will see the German remain at the club for an additional two years in a consultancy role.
He replaces Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who himself took on an interim role following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. Six months turned into three years, no trophy and another dismissal at Manchester United.
Mauricio Pochettino remains heavily linked with the Old Trafford hotseat but for now it is Rangnick who is tasked with delivering United their first piece of silverware since 2017 - or even just a top-four finish. Planet Sport looks at what Rangnick might hope to achieve this season, and the odds of it happening.
Rangnick to win his first game in charge
Rangnick is set to begin his tenure at Old Trafford on December 5 against Crystal Palace, provided his work permit is processed in time.
It is a team that Man United have defeated just twice in six of their most recent meetings although the most fond memory in recent times is an FA Cup final win over Palace in 2016.
It kicks off an appetising first six games for the new man. Following on from Palace, United take on Norwich City, Brentford, Brighton, Newcastle and Burnley.
United to finish in the Premier League top four
The top three positions already looked nailed on. What we don't yet know is the order. But what the bookies are certain of is that United won't feature in the title race, even with Rangnick at the helm. Odds of 125/1 on a United title tell that story.
However, the race for fourth looks an equally intriguing contest. West Ham currently occupy the final Champions League spot but United remain favourites here at 6/5.
They've won just one in eight, have slumped to eighth and suffered heavy defeats at the hands of Leicester City, Manchester City, Liverpool and Watford but still they are a shorter price than the Hammers, Arsenal Wolves and Tottenham who all sit above them.
The bookies are clearly expecting United to click soon and with the attacking resources at their disposal you have to agree. However, the return to fitness of Raphael Varane and not a plethora of goals may be more important to getting their season back on track.
Manchester United to win the Champions League
Manchester United guaranteed their name in the draw for the last 16 after a Michael Carrick-masterminded 2-0 win over Villarreal. A point in their final group game against Young Boys will solidify top spot in Group F and should theoretically earn them an easier tie in the first knockout round. However, as it stands, PSG, Juventus, Barcelona and Inter Milan are all possible next round opponents.
United have players with Champions League-winning experience. Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane won the tournament four times apiece at Real Madrid alongside another title for Ronaldo in his first spell at United.
There's also a precedent for optimistic United fans. Chelsea sacked Andre Villas-Boas in 2011/12 with the club in complete disarray. Roberto Di Matteo replaced the Portuguese coach in a caretaker role and guided them to Champions League glory, overcoming Bayern Munich in the final.
Manchester United to win the FA Cup
Despite talk of Champions League wins under caretaker managers, the most realistic trophy on offer to United this season is the FA Cup - a trophy they last won under Louis van Gaal in 2016.
The bigger teams tend not to prioritise the tournament due to Premier League and European commitments until it gets to the latter stages.
However, even in last season's semi-final, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer chose Champions League qualification over cup glory and paid the price against Leicester. Rangnick will not make the same mistake, even with a top-four finish on the line, while Ronaldo will be desperate for any piece of silverware to justify his Old Trafford return.
Cristiano Ronaldo to win PFA Player of the Year
CR7's return to the Theatre of Dreams was a signing that not only excited fans but also helped increase the club's stock market value. It may not be the Cristiano Ronaldo of 10 years ago or even three but nobody can deny he's still box office.
Ronaldo spared Ole's blushes on numerous occasions and with Manchester United under the cosh, he is the player who rises to the occasion.
If he is to win PFA Player of the Year, then he will have to do something extraordinary to beat Mohamed Salah to it. However, he's made a career out of doing just that.
Ralf Rangnick to be the next Premier League manager to leave
Rangnick has a host of problems to solve.
Harry Maguire has endured a torrid run of form since the Euros and United are leaking goals. Jadon Sancho is a shadow of the player he was at Borussia Dortmund and Ronaldo, while popping up with vital goals, tends to look a passenger 99% of the time.
The former RB Leipzig coach will be given time to find solutions but one of those might be finding his replacement. If United's chosen long-term replacement for Ole suddenly becomes available, Rangnick could move upstairs quicker than you can say Mauricio Pochettino.
