Final decision on Man Utd attacker to rest with Ralf Rangnick, as Euro giant make their move
Barcelona have made initial contact with Manchester United regarding a prominent forward, and his future will likely be determined in the coming weeks by Ralf Rangnick, according to a report.
Rangnick, 63, is on course to become the interim manager of Manchester United until the end of the season. Michael Carrick has overseen a victory over Villarreal and a draw with Chelsea since taking the wheel. However, United are understood to prefer a more seasoned operator after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s inexperience was ruthlessly exposed.
Rangnick has cultivated a reputation within the game as a superb coach and tactician. If, as many predict, he moves upstairs into a consultancy role when the season concludes, his expertise off the field will come to the fore.
Rangnick has operated as a director of football in the past, and according to the Mirror, he may soon have the decisive say on the future of Martial.
The 25-year-old Frenchman is facing an uphill struggle to once again be a regular starter at Old Trafford.
The summer arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho have pushed him further down the pecking order. As a result, the Mirror (citing Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo), claim an escape route to Barcelona is a distinct possibility.
Barcelona desperate for attacking reinforcements
Barcelona are light in the firepower department at present. Sergio Aguero was drafted in to help ease the transition away from Lionel Messi.
However, the Man City legend’s heart condition may have seen him play his final match as a professional.
Ousmane Dembele recently returned from injury. Though his days at the Camp Nou appear numbered after rejecting his latest contract offer.
As such, Barcelona have reportedly made contact with United regarding Martial’s availability.
However, it is relayed the Frenchman’s future could rest with incoming boss Rangnick. The German could determine Martial’s future as early as the ‘next few weeks’.
Bailly confirms Rangnick appointment, as Pochettino doubts surface
Meanwhile, the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as the new manager at Manchester United has been confirmed by the unlikely source of Eric Bailly.
In what looks to be the worst-kept secret in football, the news has now been confirmed by defender Eric Bailly. He told RMC Sport: “Yes, we’ve been told in the dressing room about the arrival of the new manager.”
However, there remains some confusion about whether Rangnick will be brought in as an interim or permanent boss.
He was reportedly set to sign a deal until the end of the season. A consultancy role at Old Trafford would then follow thereafter.
Indeed, the initial plan was that Rangnick will reportedly keep the hotseat warm until a permanent successor – most likely Mauricio Pochettino – is brought in.
Now though, according to The Sun, Rangnick could instead become United’s permanent manager. They claim that while United have reached an agreement on his move, his actual role at Old Trafford remain undecided.
And the paper claims his representatives are exploring the possibility of a clause that allows him to continue as manager next season.
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