RALF RANGNICK reportedly identified five Manchester United targets for this summer – and neighbours City signed two while the Red Devils went for none of them.
The German was appointed interim manager last term following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking and identified a handful of players to the board that would improve the club.
Rangnick took charge in December but his time in the dug-out was miserable as they only won just 11 of his 29 games.
However, he was supposed to take up a consultancy role from the end of last season but he left to take charge of Austria just six days after Erik ten Hag’s arrival.
Now Manchester Evening News are claiming that he still left them with a hit-list of five targets to secure this summer – but United failed to capture any of them.
Rangnick allegedly told them to move for Erling Haaland, Christopher Nkunku, Konrad Laimer, Julian Alvarez and Josko Gvardiol.
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And he reportedly told them that the latter was a “must buy”.
RB Leipzig and Croatia defender Gvardiol was seemingly his top priority while his team-mate Laimer was another of his recommendations.
He also allegedly told United to scout Leipzig striker Nkunku, who scored 35 goals in 52 appearances last season, but the French star has now penned a new long-term deal with the German outfit.
United knew that their hopes of signing hotshot Haaland were slim, and he is now starring for rivals City, but he still urged them to try and strike a deal with his £51m release clause becoming active over the summer.
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Rangnick also reportedly brought Alvarez to United’s attention in January.
But they were pipped by City again, who swooped for the Argentinian from River Plate for £14m back in January.
Rangnick and Ten Hag are not believed to have met in person but allegedly held talks before the former’s departure.
Despite his recommendations, United moved for none of these targets over the summer window.
Instead they signed full-back Tyrell Malacia, free agent Christian Eriksen and centre-back Lisandro Martinez.
Meanwhile, Adrien Rabiot is expected to become Ten Hag’s fourth addition of the transfer window.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
