KEY POINTS

  • Ralf Rangnick is expected to make his debut as Manchester United's interim manager against Arsenal
  • Some Manchester United players are likely to leave when Rangnick arrives
  • The incoming interim boss will implement a new training ploy

Manchester United may consider offloading rather than signing players in the next transfer window.

One thing certain at Manchester United is that the club will try and rebuild under the leadership of incoming interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

The current Red Devils squad is already stacked, having been successful in landing star signings this past summer.

Hence, Rangnick will focus on player exits instead of bringing in more players in January, The Telegraph reported.

Among the players Rangnick has earmarked as possible departees are Dean Henderson and Donny van de Beek, the report said.

Van de Beek was highly touted when he arrived at Manchester United from Ajax in 2020.

However, the Dutchman failed to make an impact in the team and is now opting to leave the club after a constant lack of playing time, a move that Rangnick is likely to give a nod.

Donny van de Beek
Donny van de Beek of Manchester United during the Pre Season Friendly fixture between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on August 7, 2021 in Manchester, England. Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Henderson, on the other hand, is in the same situation.

The report suggested that with David de Gea still one of Manchester United’s best players of the season, there’s a very slim chance that he will lose his spot as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper to Henderson.

While Rangnick is leaning towards exits, an earlier report said that Manchester United has already identified a top priority signing ahead of the January transfer window.

According to the report, the Red Devil has been keeping tabs on Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele since failing to raid him from the Spanish club in the summer of 2020.

The English club has remained interested in the Frenchman and has now made him one of its “main objectives” for next season.

Nothing is concrete yet as to how Rangnick will lead Manchester United once he steps in.

However, another report from The Telegraph said that the former Lokomotiv Moscow head of sports and development will implement major changes in the squad, including the introduction of his infamous countdown clock.

The report noted that Rangnick has already gained access to videos of Manchester United’s training ground sessions under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the incoming interim manager is planning to apply an “eight-second role” at Carrington.

The said training routine requires players to win the ball within eight seconds before coming up with a shot on goal within 10 seconds after successfully reclaiming a possession.

Players will also hear the countdown clock ticking during drills which Rangnick is reportedly certain will increase the intensity and produce satisfying results.

Rangnick is likely to make his debut on Manchester United on Thursday, December 2 in a match against Arsenal.