Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has concurred with the assessment of the club’s situation by former interim boss Ralf Rangnick, affirming that Rangnick’s analysis was “absolutely accurate”.
Ten Hag, who assumed the managerial role in 2022 following Rangnick’s seven-month tenure, acknowledged the formidable task at hand, noting that Rangnick indeed likened the club’s issues to necessitating “open-heart” surgery, underscoring the extensive and intricate nature of the operation needed to address them.
The club has experienced substantial developments off the pitch, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 27.7% stake in December. Additionally, there have been key appointments at board level and significant investment in enhancing the training ground. Furthermore, new signings such as Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro have been introduced, with interest expressed in adding Matthijs de Ligt to the roster.
Regarding the potential acquisition of De Ligt, Ten Hag indicates that while he is acquainted with the player from their time together at Ajax, it was the club’s scouting department that identified him as a transfer target. He also confirmed the availability of forward Jadon Sancho for selection, emphasizing that everyone is capable of making mistakes.
The manager’s comments serve to provide insight into the current state of affairs at Manchester United, shedding light on the ongoing efforts to address the club’s challenges and elevate its performance on the football pitch.