Man Utd set to appoint Ralf Rangnick as interim boss in two-part deal

Manchester United have reportedly agreed a deal that will see Ralf Rangnick become the club's interim manager until the end of the season.

The Red Devils were on the lookout for a new head coach following the decision to dismiss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after almost three years in the charge.

United confirmed that their plan would be hire to a manager that would see them through until the end of the season, before recruiting a permanent successor next summer.

Rangnick, 63, will be handed the role and is set to leave his position as head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow.

It is suggested that at the end of the campaign, the German will take on a consultancy role, with that contract stretching a further two years.

The deal is subject to Lokomotiv granting Rangnick's release, something United bosses do not anticipate to be a problem.

Rangnick is seen as one of the most influential coaches of his generation, being credited with the introduction of the Gegenpressing system, now widely adopted across Europe.

He counts Jurgen Klopp as Thomas Tuchel has two of his admirers and will now be tasked with navigating United through the rest of the Premier League campaign.

After a run of just one win in seven Premier League games, United take on league leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

It is expected that Rangnick will not be in the dugout for that game due to work permit issues, meaning caretaker boss Michael Carrrick will once again lead the side out.

There is then a hope that Rangnick could be in place for the home game against Arsenal on December 2, the start of what promises to be a defining stretch in the battle for a top-four finish.

The prospective deal would be a unique one for United who will gain some long-term benefit to what many feared was a very short-term approach.

As well as his extensive coaching experience, Rangnick is well versed in roles beyond management and helped transform RB Leipzig from a provincial German team to a Bundesliga challenger under his stewardship.

He looks set to join Football Director John Murtough, Technical Director Darren Fletcher and chief negotiator Matt Judge in a fresh faced brain trust at Old Trafford.

Reports claim that Mauricio Pochettino remains the leading contender to take on the position at the end of the campaign, with Paris Saint-Germain unwilling to part with him midway through the season.

The Argentine, who left the Premier League following his dismissal from Tottenham in 2019 is said to be open on a return to these shores and sees United as a perfect opportunity.

Pochettino has only been with PSG since the start of 2021, but he has faced repeated criticism throughout his time in the French capital.