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RALF RANGNICK’s Manchester United revolution is in full swing.The German coach, 63, guided his side to a win in his first game against Crystal Palace.
Chris Armas will reportedly join Ralf Rangnick’s coaching staff at Man UtdCredit: Getty
His infamous Gegenpressing style was evident in the narrow 1-0 win over the Eagles on Sunday.
And now he’s reportedly added to his coaching staff, with claims that Chris Armas will join his coaching staff.
The American, 49, is said to have formed a strong bond with Rangnick, when Armas was the New York Red Bulls assistant coach and later head coach.
Rangnick worked at the MLS side as director of football.
But in his last role Armas was sacked as Toronto FC boss following a 7-1 defeat to D.C. United.
CREDIBLE PLAYER
A hard-working midfielder, Armas began his career in the MLS with LA Galaxy.
After two seasons in California, he was signed by Chicago Fire – where he would become a club legend.
Over nine years, he appeared 273 times for the club before retiring in 2007.
In international football, Armas turned out initially for Puerto Rico in friendlies, before switching allegiance to the United States.
Armas was a combative midfielder for Chicago FireCredit: Getty
Although he appeared 66 times for his country, Armas missed out on playing for the US in a World CupCredit: Reuters
From 1998-2005, he played 66 times for his country, scoring twice.
However, he never managed to appear in a World Cup – sadly missing out in 2002 because of a knee injury.
MOVE TO COACHING
A year after retiring from the game, Armas began his coaching badges with Chicago Fire.
He then continued his apprenticeship at Adelphi University in New York, working with the women’s football team.
In 2015, Armas returned to the MLS with New York Red Bulls – eventually taking over as first team coach, when the recently sacked Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch moved to RB Salzburg in 2018.
Under Armas, they finished first in the regular season, winning the Supporters’ Shield. However, they faced heartbreak in the playoffs when they were eliminated by Atlanta United.
The next season, his first full one, the club finished sixth in the Eastern Conference to once again reach the playoffs, until they were knocked out by Philadelphia Union in the first round.
Armas scored some success with the NY Red Bulls, where it is said he impressed RangnickCredit: Getty
NY Red Bulls recorded the fastest ball recoveries in the league under ArmasCredit: Getty
What was most impressive in the team’s style of play was the New York Red Bulls had the fastest ball recoveries in the league, with the highest press, and played the most direct attacking style.
By 2020 though, their form had dipped and he parted ways with the club with the team misfiring.
CANADIAN ADVENTURE
This year, Armas’ coaching expertise was needed at Toronto FC.
It was a tenure that would last just six months, before he was given the bullet.
In 15 games, his side had a dismal record – winning just twice, drawing three and losing 10 games.
A 7-1 defeat to D.C. United was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and he was dismissed soon after.
Following a dismal spell, Armas was sacked from his last role as Toronto FC bossCredit: Getty
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His spell at Toronto was perhaps best remembered for falling out with former Premier League striker Jozy Altidore, who he forced to train alone after the ex-Sunderland star questioned being substituted for a youth player.
Despite that, Rangnick believes in Armas’ methods.
And with a shared ethos for getting the ball back from the opposition quickly and the Gegenpress, the United manager will see his appointment as crucial as he begins to assemble his own backroom staff.
Rangnick presented as interim Manchester United boss More

AFTER 15 years, Michael Carrick said an emotional goodbye to Old Trafford.The former Red Devil announced he was leaving the club following a successful stint as caretaker boss and a rollercoaster playing career that saw him hit the highest highs and plummet into a devastating depression.
Michael Carrick walks away from Old Trafford with his head held high after a successful stint as caretaker bossCredit: Reuters
His final act, a 3-2 win over fierce rivals Arsenal, meant he ended unbeaten in his three games – with two victories and one draw.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, he revealed: “It’s not been an easy decision to make but I feel it’s the right one.
“I was going to take time off after I finished playing and it never happened. It feels like the right time to step away and what a way to finish.
“It’s 100 per cent my decision. Over the last week I was conscious I respected the club and the manager coming in. I thought it was the right thing to do for the club and for Ralf [Rangnick] and I’m quite happy with that.
“We were in a situation where there was a responsibility to see these games through. The loyalty to Ole is a little bit of a factor but there were a lot of things that came into my decision.
“I’ve had great times, great memories and I’m proud of the players over the past three games.
“I just told them and they were a bit shocked and surprised, a bit emotional in the changing room. I held it together, just about. It’s not been easy to keep it away from people but I had a job to do.”
Although his future now may belong in managing, it’s as a player West Ham, Spurs and United fans also remember him fondly.
PLAYING CAREER
It all started at Upton Park for the humble Wallsend-born midfielder.
Often an underrated cog in a side, he provided stability for his defence while delivering simple passes to more attacking players.
Wallsend-born Carrick began his football career at West HamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
It was at Man Utd Carrick enjoyed most success, winning five Premier League titlesCredit: Getty – Contributor
In 2008 Carrick lifted the Champions League trophyCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Carrick enjoyed a trophy laden career at UnitedCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
After making his debut aged 18 for the Hammers, where he was a member of their FA Youth Cup team in 1999, he lost two seasons through injury after a growth spurt.
But he would end up playing 159 times in the East End, winning an Intertoto Cup, before moving to Spurs.
Two seasons later, Sir Alex Ferguson paid £15million to bring him to the North as a successor to Roy Keane in midfield.
Trophies that had eluded him at his previous clubs came aplenty at United.
In all, he won five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and Europa League.
He was also named Manchester United’s Players’ Player of the Year in 2012-13.
Louis Van Gaal called Carrick his “trainer coach during the game”. So, it was inevitable what his next move would be.
TRANSITION TO COACH
Made club captain when Wayne Rooney left, Carrick announced he would retire after the 2017-18 season.
Awaiting him was a coaching position and working alongside Jose Mourinho and his assistant Rui Faria.
“He has qualities we believe that can make him a good coach,” the Special One said before his final game at Old Trafford.
When Mourinho was sacked, Carrick was kept on at the club and began working with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Jose Mourinho handed Carrick his coaching apprenticeshipCredit: Reuters
When Mourinho left, Carrick worked alongside Ole Gunnar SolskjaerCredit: Getty – Contributor
After becoming caretaker boss, Carrick made the decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo to the benchCredit: Rex
The pair formed an alliance, often seen deep in conversation in the dugout over tactics.
But, his calling would soon come as caretaker boss when the Norwegian was dismissed.
In his first game, he saw off Villarreal in the Champions League with a 2-0 win.
Then, he his gambled decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo saw his side fight for a 1-1 draw away at Chelsea.
For his last game, Carrick would bring back a rejuvenated Ronaldo who would score twice, including a winner from the spot in a 3-2 win over Arsenal.
BEATING DEPRESSION
However, despite his assured persona, Carrick has had to battle his demons.
He admitted he punished himself so badly for gifting Barcelona a goal in the 2-0 Champions League final defeat in 2009 that it left him hardly wanting to play for the next 12 months.
The former United midfielder opened up about his torment in his autobiography Michael Carrick: Between The Lines.
Carrick wrote: “I was loose with a header and Iniesta was on it in a flash, passing to Messi. Barcelona are ruthless in transition.
“I was close to Messi but couldn’t prevent him passing back to Iniesta who got ahead of me and Anderson. Iniesta slipped the ball to Eto’o, who got away from Vidic.
“I slid in but only got close enough to Eto’o to see him score.
Carrick admitted he punished himself for gifting a goal to Barcelona in a 2-0 Champions League final defeatCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Humble Carrick admitted his mistake saw him sink into a deep depressionCredit: Getty
“In quiet moments in the weeks after our 2-0 defeat, that passage of play kept returning to haunt me. I couldn’t get it out of my head. It sounds melodramatic, but I’ve never recovered from it.
“The memory of conceding such a soft goal is always there in my mind. Giving the ball away to any team was dangerous, but to Barcelona it was suicidal.
“That was the worst I’ve felt on a football pitch after a game by a mile. I was mentally devastated, angry and frustrated by my performance and by United’s.
“I’ve never talked about Rome with the Boss. I can’t, it’s too painful. Even now, almost a decade on, the gloom from Rome has not completely gone.”
WHAT RONALDO SAID
As the dust settles, and Carrick leaves the Theatre of Dreams with his head held high, the question of what happens next remains.
He will, no doubt, spend time with his family before embarking on his next chapter.
Harry Maguire was one of the Man Utd stars who said an emotional goodbye to Carrick after the gameCredit: EPA
Cristiano Ronaldo also wished his old team-mate and manager well for the futureCredit: Getty

Should that be as a manager, well he has the endorsement of arguably the greatest player the world has ever seen.
“Michael Carrick was a class act as a player and he can become a great coach as well,” Cristiano Ronaldo revealed on Instagram after news broke that Carrick was leaving.
“Nothing is impossible for this guy. Personally, I’m proud to have played with him by my side as well as with him as a manager on our bench.”
Michael Carrick reacts to Man Utd’s 3-2 victory against Arsenal More

MAN UTD’S new boss Ralf Rangnick was a disciplinarian at previous club RB Leipzig, where he had a wheel of fortune containing forfeits for disobeying stars.The German manager, 63, was finally confirmed as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s successor this week, and will join the club as interim manager before staying on as a consultant for a further two years.
Man Utd’s stars could play Ralf Rangnick’s wheel of forfeits if they behave badly
Ralf Rangnick’s wheel of misfortune with 12 forfeits from his time at RB Leipzig
And it could mean that Red Devils stars Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo might face punishments like training in a ballerina’s tutu or working in the club shop, if they step out of line.
Rangnick came up the idea after scrapping fines believing a professional footballer’s time is more valuable than money.
He said in 2018: “Fines rarely bring anything. It hurts the players more when they have less time.”
And his assistant Jesse Marsch mentioned the idea of a wheel with he had picked up from America.
The concept is simple; spin the wheel and await your forfeit. There are 12 outcomes – 11 bad, and one ‘Get out of jail free’ card.
Here’s the 12 outcomes on Ralf’s dreaded wheel.
1. Pump up the balls, get them on the pitch, clean them
For 30 minutes per day for a week, this task will see a player having to make sure balls are pumped up and ready to use.
Better still, they’ve got to be spotless.
Footballs will have to be pumped up by misbehaving starsCredit: Getty
2. Train an academy team
An essential part of United’s success has been through their kids.
If a player lands on this, they will have to train one of the academy teams for four hours when they have a free day.
3. Stadium tour guide
It would be your lucky day, if you were a supporter and Ronaldo was showing you around Old Trafford.
But, should a star misbehave they will have to act as a tour guide for the Theatre of Dreams for one hour.
Players will have to act as tour guide at Old Trafford if they step out of line with RangnickCredit: Getty
4. Get Lucky
View it as a get out of jail free card.
Should a player spin and fall on this, they will face absolutely no punishment and will be counting their lucky stars.
5. Mow and take care of training pitch
As you can expect, the pitches at Carrington are perfectly manicured.
This task would see a player assisting the groundsman in mowing the grass and tending to the training areas for four to six hours within a training week.
Groundsman at Carrington will be assisted in looking after training pitches by naughty starsCredit: Rex

6. Wear a tutu
Possibly the worst on the list and most embarrassing.
Play up in front of Rangnick, and you’ll be forced to wear a pink ballerina’s tutu for 90 minutes at training.
7. Fill water bottles
Rehydration is crucial to athletes when it comes to training.
This forfeit would mean the naughty player will have to mix drinks ahead of training and fill water bottles for 20 minutes per day for the whole week.
Filling water bottles for team mates is one of Rangnick’s forfeits on his wheel of fortuneCredit: Getty
8. Club shop assistant
Here’s a punishment you wouldn’t want to face during the festive period.
This would see a player having to work as an assistant at the Manchester United’s Megastore for three hours.
9. Serve food in team cafe and clean tables
For 30 minutes per day, a star would have to serve his team mates their dinner cooked by the chef.
Worse still, he would be expected to clean up after them when they’ve finished.
Cristiano Ronaldo might be serving up club team mates their dinner, if he misbehavesCredit: Getty
10. Work as a kit assistant
Again, not a glam job for a well-paid United star.
This task would see someone have to take care of dirty shirts, and make sure boots are clean for 30 minutes per day.
11. Load the team bus
Man Utd have an amazing team bus, worth £400,000. So, you can imagine you can get a lot of stuff in it.
And that would be expected of you, if you mess Ralf about.
For an hour and a half on an away day, you’d have to load the bus with bags.
Players may have to load up the team bus if they cross RangnickCredit: Getty
12. Buy gifts for staff
With the salaries United players are on, this won’t dent their wages too much.
But, land on this one and you’ll have to buy small gifts for up to 60 members of staff.
So, will Rangnick enforce his wheel of forfeits on United’s stars?
Time will tell if you see Paul Pogba training in a tutu.
Ralf Rangnick’s Man Utd appointment slammed as Souness says he doesn’t get it ‘on any level’ More