Ralf Rangnick doubles down on infamous Man Utd 'open-heart surgery' rant

Ralf Rangnick took a fresh dig at Manchester United as he asserted to be right about the club requiring “open heart surgery” two years from his departure. 

Rangnik took charge of the Red Devils on an interim basis during the 21/22 session following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Although his tenure spanned only six months, Rangnick’s short spell was marked by a candid and controversial claim of the club’s internal struggles. After a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, the interim boss said: “The good thing, one of the few, is it's crystal clear. 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."

Erik Ten Hag has also had a tough time bringing back the glory days at the Theatre of Dreams, but a surprise win over fierce rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final eventually led to him being handed a new contract. However, with United losing two of their opening three Premier League fixtures in 24/25, including a humiliating 3-0 defeat against the Scousers at Old Trafford which once was an unbreachable fortress, Ten Hag finds himself with his back against the wall. This has led the current Austria coach to validate his earlier critique of the club. 

During an interview with TV2, Rangnick reaffirmed his belief that a structural overhaul was needed at United. 

"I probably made that statement when the season was almost over about two years ago," Rangnick recalled.

"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 know how many players they have signed since, but it looks like I was right."

After his brief spell with the club concluded, Rangnick had been due to stay on at the Theatre of Dreams in a consultancy capacity. However, his relationship with United abruptly ended in April 2022, when it was mutually agreed that the German would not take up the new role. He instead took charge of Austria’s national team. 

While the appointment of Ten Hag had initially brought hope for a revival, the ongoing challenges have renewed questions about the internal structures at Old Trafford. The Dutch pragmatist will once again lead his men on Saturday against Southampton in a Premier League fixture.