I'll have you blood eagled!
How will Rangnick line up?
- Thread starter VanDeBank
- Start date
This is extremely disappointing. I was expecting a lot more Ragnar or Viking jokes.
Bjorn is definitely a no-nonsense midfielder
Ragnar is a dumb nickname to begin with as he is German and not Scandinavian, like the last manager.
Title fixed.
My expectation based on no knowledge of him whatsoever:
DDG
AWB ---------------- VARANE -------------- LINDELÖF ----------------- SHAW
FRED
DONNY --------------------- BRUNO
SANCHO -------------------------- RONALDO ---------------------- RASHFORD
Bench: Henderson, Greenwood, Maguire, Telles, McTominay, Amad, Cavani, Lingard
AWB ---------------- VARANE -------------- LINDELÖF ----------------- SHAW
FRED
DONNY --------------------- BRUNO
SANCHO -------------------------- RONALDO ---------------------- RASHFORD
Bench: Henderson, Greenwood, Maguire, Telles, McTominay, Amad, Cavani, Lingard
Why? He likes direct passing and quick transition. For me Donny ticks the boxes, he's witty, hard working and has good vision.
I think he will turn to a 442 if nothing else agreed (Next manager).
This on the defence and then in offence change to a 4231.
De Gea
Wan-Bissaka - Lindelof - Maguire - Shaw
Sancho - Fred - VDB - Rashford
Ronaldo - Bruno
This on the defence and then in offence change to a 4231.
De Gea
Wan-Bissaka - Lindelof - Maguire - Shaw
Sancho - Fred - VDB - Rashford
Ronaldo - Bruno
I don't think he's wedded to it and he's used 3 across the front and 5 at the back too. I won't be surprised if it's Bruno as Forsberg tucking in and then 3 across the front with VDB in a similar role to the one Sabitzer or Kampl have played as the highest pressing in a double pivot.
He's not current Conte where you know for sure what formation you're getting. All we really know is that we'll probably try to force the ball wide as a trigger to the press and on the ball he wants tempo and hitting it forwards rather than a slower side to side possession game.
I'd guess Cristiano (Cavani backing him up) will be a similar figure to Yussuf Poulsen/Andre Silva as neither of those are particularly fast and trying to play vertically in possession means you need a strong #9.
Bruno maybe similar to Forsberg, playing as a #10 in the half space mostly, though that could also be Sancho's role with Bruno figuring deeper. Rashford is the most similar player we have to Werner if he's looking for pure pace on the break.
So yeah, it might be a 4-4-2/4-2-2-2/4-4-1-1 like Hassenhutl (whom he presumably picked) plays at Southampton and Rangnick mostly used at Leipzig. If so, they lineup with a proper 9 in Che Adams, presumably that's Cristiano, and a 2nd striker behind him (they spent big on Adam Armstrong to fill that role with Ings going) which I imagine would be Rashford or Greenwood. Sancho and Bruno behind them with Sancho wider (like when Southampton play Djenepo, Redmond or Elyounoussi and Bruno more tucked in like Forsberg at Leipzig or Stuart Armstrong at Southampton, and then 2 in midfield and I imagine Fred will be one, and then everyone has decided Van De Beek the other one, but he's still a new coach. He might fall in love with Pogba's ability to pass the ball forwards and break the lines which he does with France consistently better than basically anyone else in the world game along with Verrati. We really have no idea.
So yeah, forcing the ball wide, trapping presses once it goes out there, Cristiano up top and he said he didn't rate Shaw so maybe Telles at left back, but other than I'm not really assuming much.
In terms of educated guesses, I could see a honeymoon period for Lingard until he sees that he's among the worst vertical passers you'll ever see playing as a #10, and Fred seems tactically smart and mobile enough to be in his first choice midfield and Van De Beek will probably understand what he's trying to do better than most. I think the appointment could be very good for Rashford, since Rangnick/RB seem intent on having speedy players stretch the play the second the ball is turned over and Rashford makes the best vertical off the ball runs on the team (now that Cristiano is old of course).
Leipzig haven't really used a sitting #6 much because when the other team has the ball they try to set traps and win the ball, so I think he's less concerned about having a proper #6 who can cut off balls to a #10 and patrol the area like a Makelele would, because their job is to get up the pitch and force a turnover or a long ball and giveaway.
I just put Dalot there as AWB doesnt seem like a typical Ralf player. The RB spot will for sure be a headache for him though. I cant see Pogba at all in his super high gegenpress system at all. I hope we can get something for him in january. Maybe 15m, and use that for an unknown well scouted RB ? I also hope we go for a DM in january as well. Maybe Tchouameni, all though im sure he has a couple of his own alternatives here.
AWB will be more than fine under Rangnick.
He's the type of player that needs precise instruction as to where to pass it when which he will get from Ralf, rather than the Ole freestyle system that has left him looking unsure on the ball at times.
As for Pogba, perhaps he will be used sparingly if he is intent on leaving in the summer but I think all the talk about not working hard will be put firmly to bed.
Pressing is about tactical intelligence rather than bundles of energy and I think Pogba will thrive in Rangnick's system if given the chance.
Hopefully he can train them to be better as a whole than the sum of the parts. Picks players to play in the correct role for the tactics used, not shoe horn in. Doesnt develop favourites and picks them regardless or because they are a 'big name'.
Above all develops an attractive style of play thats entertaining and a winning formula.
Above all develops an attractive style of play thats entertaining and a winning formula.
De Gea
AWB - Varane - Maguire - Shaw
Sancho - VDB - Fred - Rashford
Bruno - Ronaldo
Something like this perhaps, a flexible 442 that could become a 4222.AWB - Varane - Maguire - Shaw
Sancho - VDB - Fred - Rashford
Bruno - Ronaldo
This. Watched the bundesliga for many years, this is his preferred formation. High energy press all over the pitch. Likes players to press high up, win the ball back. Likes forward direct passes. He will love players like DVB, Sancho, Fred, Cavani even Lingard I could imagine would be a favourite under him.
I think in begin he will assess what we have, so few changes in personnel but more emphasis on fitness and pressing. By January he will know what we need and look to improve. I think he may go for Bailly and Varane as centre back pairings, as both are quick and can play a high press. Don't know about left back. If he can get Shaw fit then he'll stay otherwise we may have to look for a new one. Telles is not good enough defensively. I hope he gets Laird and Galbraith back from loans and integrates then into the team.
I can't see Pogba staying. I don't think he will go for an out and out defensive midfielder as it is not his style. He will look at aggressive, hard working, quick short passing players. So VD Beek and Fred, plus one other.
I hope he has a say in the appointment of a new manager and goes for a young dynamic manager anywhere in Europe and he can use his 2 year consultancy to help them handle the pressure of managing United. People, such as Potter, Arno Slot (Feyenoord), Rooney (who is doing a good job at Derby), or even Gerrard ( I know you wont like this, but he did great at Rangers). I dont know enough about young managers in France or Spain to have an idea of good young ones
I can't see Pogba staying. I don't think he will go for an out and out defensive midfielder as it is not his style. He will look at aggressive, hard working, quick short passing players. So VD Beek and Fred, plus one other.
I hope he has a say in the appointment of a new manager and goes for a young dynamic manager anywhere in Europe and he can use his 2 year consultancy to help them handle the pressure of managing United. People, such as Potter, Arno Slot (Feyenoord), Rooney (who is doing a good job at Derby), or even Gerrard ( I know you wont like this, but he did great at Rangers). I dont know enough about young managers in France or Spain to have an idea of good young ones
Of.course but they were still good to watch when he first came. You could clearly see the identity.
Since I have not seen much of Rangnicks teams Ive tried to figure out how we would line up trying to imitate Liverpool.
Fullbacks - The fullbacks need to be able to push forward but in the build up they need to offer an outlet and be able to pass forward not back both short but also to switch play and hit long balls and cross. This is basically what Trent and Robertson do. They get the ball deep and because the opposition has pressed towards their side they look to switch play to the other fullback or hit diagonals to Mane/Salah. Then they help the wingers with a numerical advantage and then make crosses into the box whenever they can. We dont have those types of fullbacks. Thats why Ive gone slightly mad and put McTominay at RB. I just cant see Dalot or WB transform no matter how much coaching you give them but at least McTominay has some of that skillset. He can hit a long ball and cross and pass better than all of them. He lacks a bit of pace but he is not slow and he can defend. On the other side Ive still gone with Shaw. If he regains his last seasons form he is still better than Telles and he has played under Poch at Southampton in a high press and done well.
Midfield - We need a Fabinho and the only player that comes close is Matic. The DM needs to drop into CB sometimes to allow the fullbacks to push forward. When the opposing team push on the fullbacks then they need to be a outlet in midfield. Get the ball, turn and pass simply forwards. Who can do that apart from Matic? Yes he is slow and we will see how many games he can play but he is the only option. The other CM's need to cover their respective sides left and right when defending and join up with the attack and be able to pass in tight spaces. Donny is an obvious choice. The left side I have been going back and forth between Pogba and Fred. I think both have their advantages and disadvantages. I edged for Pogba just because he is the better player, he has height which we lack both defensively and in the oppositions box, he can hit diagonal balls and can pass and score.
Attack - Unfortunately I just cant see Ronaldo fitting no matter how much he tries. This is the Firmino role. He presses and occupies the CB's in the first phase of defending with relentless running. The engine of the team. When attacking he drops deep into the number 10 role. He looks to slot in the wingers who are making runs either side of him, links up play and has a high assists ratio. None of that is Ronaldo. Again we dont have that player so I went for Bruno because he has the skillset and engine to do that with coaching and he will bag a sht load of goals/assists. Sancho on the right is an obvious choice. He has everything you need. Rashford on the other hand Im not sure. He has to adapt his game a lot. He has to learn when to make runs and how to move and pass and not be all about being direct. But he has the speed and the ability so I think with coaching he will come good.
De Gea
McTominay - Varane - Maguire - Shaw
Donny - Matic - Pogba
Sancho - Bruno - Rashford
Fullbacks - The fullbacks need to be able to push forward but in the build up they need to offer an outlet and be able to pass forward not back both short but also to switch play and hit long balls and cross. This is basically what Trent and Robertson do. They get the ball deep and because the opposition has pressed towards their side they look to switch play to the other fullback or hit diagonals to Mane/Salah. Then they help the wingers with a numerical advantage and then make crosses into the box whenever they can. We dont have those types of fullbacks. Thats why Ive gone slightly mad and put McTominay at RB. I just cant see Dalot or WB transform no matter how much coaching you give them but at least McTominay has some of that skillset. He can hit a long ball and cross and pass better than all of them. He lacks a bit of pace but he is not slow and he can defend. On the other side Ive still gone with Shaw. If he regains his last seasons form he is still better than Telles and he has played under Poch at Southampton in a high press and done well.
Midfield - We need a Fabinho and the only player that comes close is Matic. The DM needs to drop into CB sometimes to allow the fullbacks to push forward. When the opposing team push on the fullbacks then they need to be a outlet in midfield. Get the ball, turn and pass simply forwards. Who can do that apart from Matic? Yes he is slow and we will see how many games he can play but he is the only option. The other CM's need to cover their respective sides left and right when defending and join up with the attack and be able to pass in tight spaces. Donny is an obvious choice. The left side I have been going back and forth between Pogba and Fred. I think both have their advantages and disadvantages. I edged for Pogba just because he is the better player, he has height which we lack both defensively and in the oppositions box, he can hit diagonal balls and can pass and score.
Attack - Unfortunately I just cant see Ronaldo fitting no matter how much he tries. This is the Firmino role. He presses and occupies the CB's in the first phase of defending with relentless running. The engine of the team. When attacking he drops deep into the number 10 role. He looks to slot in the wingers who are making runs either side of him, links up play and has a high assists ratio. None of that is Ronaldo. Again we dont have that player so I went for Bruno because he has the skillset and engine to do that with coaching and he will bag a sht load of goals/assists. Sancho on the right is an obvious choice. He has everything you need. Rashford on the other hand Im not sure. He has to adapt his game a lot. He has to learn when to make runs and how to move and pass and not be all about being direct. But he has the speed and the ability so I think with coaching he will come good.
De Gea
McTominay - Varane - Maguire - Shaw
Donny - Matic - Pogba
Sancho - Bruno - Rashford
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Can't wait for the meltdown on here when he starts McTominay and Fred in midfield together 
My guess is with a credit card on the back of a CD case.
Can't wait for the meltdown on here when he starts McTominay and Fred in midfield together
Doesn't matter as long as they are coached well, if they are told what their designated roles are.
De Gea
Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw
Bruno, Fred, van de Beek
Sancho, Ronaldo, Rashford
Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw
Bruno, Fred, van de Beek
Sancho, Ronaldo, Rashford
De Gea
AWB Varane Bailly Shaw
DVB Fred
Sancho Lingard
Bruno Ronaldo
AWB Varane Bailly Shaw
DVB Fred
Sancho Lingard
Bruno Ronaldo
He's here for 6 months I doubt we'll be signing many if any players for an Interim manager. A CM maybe but that's probably it.
Party pooper Please don't ban me
I certainly hope so, but he's basically transitioning into a consigliere/Robert Duval position and could have feck all say.
This one isn't too bad.
Just think of "Rang Nick" and remove the space.
Pogba is the least suited to a high pressing game than all of our players. He never did defensive duties at Juventus and neither d does he do any for us.
He doesn't possess any desireable defensive stats. He's a luxury player you give the ball to to produce a moment of magic. Didn't Vidal and Pirlo have to mop up after him at Juventus in that midfield 3?
Work rate and commitment is exactly what you need for a high press and the player that delivers consistently on that front for us is Fred. I'd have him over Pogba any day of the week. At least with Fred you know he's going to run his socks off and put a boot in.
De Gea
AWB Varane Maguire Shaw
Donny Fred
Sancho Bruno
Ronaldo Rashford
AWB Varane Maguire Shaw
Donny Fred
Sancho Bruno
Ronaldo Rashford
From what I’ve heard about him this is what I kind of expect the team to look like, wouldn’t be surprised if he used Fred higher up the pitch in bigger games, nor would I be surprised if he saw Fred and McTominay as his best 2 sitting midfielders, both high energy players who win the ball back. I do think we need a better long range passer from deep to unleash the forwards.. I don’t think Fred or Donny have defence splitting long passes in their game. Also think Cavani would be better suited than Ronaldo.. but it’s Ronaldo so you have to have him in.
All in all I think the team is very well set up for a coach like Rangnick.. the only sticking point is the midfield, but hopefully we get one in Jan.
He’s played 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 5-3-2 in the past as well, I think he might go 4-2-3-1 again, with Rashford - Ronaldo - Sancho as his front 3 of choice. I’m still not sure we’ve got the personnel to play a 4-3-3 at the moment, sadly.
He wont play 2 forwards who do not press. That's the basis on what his philosophy is based on pressing from the front.
Can't wait for the meltdown on here when he starts McTominay and Fred in midfield together
And Maguire at the back.
As opposed to?
Henderson
AWB - Varane - Maguire - Shaw
Fred
Sancho - DVB - Bruno - Ronaldo
Cavani
AWB - Varane - Maguire - Shaw
Fred
Sancho - DVB - Bruno - Ronaldo
Cavani
Shaw is in for a rough time. I can see him choosing a 4-1-4-1, similar to Van Gaal.
Rashford
Ronaldo DvB Bruno Sancho
Fred
Telles Maguire Varane AwB
deGea
Ronaldo DvB Bruno Sancho
Fred
Telles Maguire Varane AwB
deGea
DVB
AWB Varane DVB Shaw
DVB Fred
Sancho DVB
DVB Ronaldo
AWB Varane DVB Shaw
DVB Fred
Sancho DVB
DVB Ronaldo
I think the expectation is that he’ll be teaching Rashford and Sancho to press effectively, Fernandes already presses quite well. Ronaldo might get some leeway with the others compensating for him, even he’s been pressing a bit more lately.
Dont think Sancho needs teaching. He has that approach from Dortmund and has been covering the most ground from the forwards. Rashford, Martial, Greenwood will need a lot of work.
Cavani, Sancho, Lingard will be a dream for the coach
Fred's his wet dream, right? Bit of coaching on his positioning and he may actually be able to become an alright footballer. Only player that constantly presses in our team.
I think Fred, Sancho and Rashford will thrive under him.