Rangnick aims fresh dig at Man United, doubles down on ‘open heart surgery’ call

Ralf Rangnick believes under-fire Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag’s recent comments prove he was ‘right’ in his criticisms of the club.

Rangnick spent six months in the Old Trafford dugout during the 2021-22 season, albeit on an interim basis.

Although he guided United to Europa League qualification, United ended that Premier League season with just 58 points, two fewer than their tally last term when they finished a lowly eighth.

Ten Hag managed to remain in the post thanks to an upset FA Cup victory over Manchester City but is already under intense scrutiny as United have lost two of their three Premier League fixtures this campaign.

The latest, a 3-0 humbling at Old Trafford from historic rivals Liverpool, ensured Ten Hag and United must bounce back after the international break against Southampton.

Having witnessed United’s continued struggles since his exit, Rangnick believes he has been vindicated on the controversial ‘open heart operation’ comments he made in 2022.

‘I probably made that statement when the season was almost over about two years ago,’ Rangnick told TV2.

‘It is probably only two or three weeks since Erik ten Hag was asked the same thing.

‘Then he said that I was right in my analysis. I don’t knowhow many players they have signed since, but it looks like I was right.’

Rangnick first made the ‘open heart operation’ comments after overseeing a brutal 4-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in April 2022.

The German did not believe it was the quality of the manager that led to United’s demise, but rather ‘changing all the other things’ internally.

‘The good thing, one of the few, is it’s crystal clear,’ Rangnick said.

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‘You don’t even need glasses to see the problems. Now it’s only about how you can solve them. Not minor cosmetic things. This is an open heart operation. If everyone realises this has to happen and works together, it doesn’t need to take years.’

Rangnick boldly claimed the transformation could even take place ‘within one year’ and pointed to rivals completing an overhaul ‘within three transfer windows’.

Although he would not be offered the managerial role on a full-time basis, Rangnick was set to stick around at United in a consultancy role.

However, the 66-year-old and United agreed not to proceed with the plan after he was placed in charge of Austria in April 2022.

Rangnick remains in charge of Austria and guided them to the Round of 16 at Euro 2024, their equal-best result at the European Championships.

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