Ralf Rangnick attacks Manchester United again and doubles down on criticism of 'open heart surgery'
Ralf Rangnick believes Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's recent comments prove he was “right” in his criticism of the club.
Rangnick spent six months in charge at Old Trafford during the 2021-22 season, albeit on an interim basis.
Despite guiding United to Europa League qualification, United finished that Premier League season with just 58 points, two fewer than their total from last season, when they finished a lowly eighth.
Ten Hag managed to stay in the job thanks to a surprise FA Cup win over Manchester City but is already under intense scrutiny with United having lost two of their three Premier League games this campaign.
The latest, a humiliating 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford against historic rivals LiverpoolTen Hag said United must bounce back after the international break against Southampton.
Having witnessed United's continued struggles since his departure, Rangnick believes he has been vindicated by controversial 'open heart surgery' comments he made in 2022.
“I probably made that statement when the season was almost over about two years ago.” Rangnick told TV2.
'It's probably only been two or three weeks since Erik the Hag They asked me the same thing.
“He then said that I was right in my analysis. I don't know how many players they have signed since then, but it seems that he was right.”
Rangnick first made the “open heart surgery” comments after overseeing a brutal 4-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in April 2022.
The German does not believe it was the quality of the coach that caused United's downfall, but rather “changing all the other things” internally.
“The good thing, one of the few, is that it's crystal clear,” Rangnick said.
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“You don't even need glasses to see the problems. Now it's just a matter of how to solve them. Not small cosmetic details. It's open-heart surgery. If we all realize that it needs to be done and work together, it doesn't have to take years.”
Rangnick boldly claimed the transformation could even take place “within a year” and noted that the rivals would complete an overhaul “within three transfer windows”.
Although he would not be offered the full-time coaching job, Rangnick was determined to stay at United in a consultancy role.
However, the 66-year-old and United agreed not to go ahead with the plan after he was put in charge of Austria in April 2022.
Rangnick remains in charge of Austria and guided them to the round of 16 in Euro 2024their best result in the European Championship.
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