Ralf Rangnick confident Erik ten Hag can build 'different' Man Utd team
Ralf Rangnick has revealed his confidence that incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag can turn the club's fortunes around.
It was confirmed on Thursday after months of speculation that Ten Hag will be taking over from interim boss Rangnick once Ajax's Eredivisie season concludes.
Speaking on the 52-year-old Dutchman's appointment for the first time, Rangnick insisted that the right decision had been made - and tevealed that he was asked about Ten Hag by the club's hierarchy prior to the appointment.
"We don't know each other in person. From what I've seen of him with Bayern Munich and Ajax now, I like his football and I'm pretty positive with a full pre-season and having the chance to build and mould his own staff with a new team," he said.
"I'm pretty sure we'll see a different team and improvement on the pitch.
"I knew that Erik was one of the candidates the board spoke to and obviously I told them, at least from what I had seen and knew from people who had worked with Erik, that I think he would be a good choice and I still believe he will be a very good choice."
Rangnick was speaking before his side's Premier League meeting with Arsenal on Saturday. United currently sit sixth and trail the Gunners and Tottenham – who are fifth and fourth respectively – by three points, but the north London pair have each played a game less.
Defeat at the weekend would likely all but end their chances of securing a Champions League spot. Failure to finish in the top four would represent a significant failure for United and 90min understands that plans are already in motion to rebuild the squad in the summer.
Asked about player turnover at the end of the season, Rangnick admitted that he was expecting significant changes.
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"I mean, it's obvious there are quite a few players with their contracts expiring," he began.
"There might be a few others who - although they have contracts - they are already on loan and still want to be on loan or leave the club.
"It will be a significant change and rebuild necessary, that's clear, but how many players and which positions, as I've said, I've not spoken to Erik in person yet. If he asks me my opinion in person, I'm willing to speak to him about my experience, but on the other hand, he'll also have his own ideas."