Mike Phelan confirms duties of new role under Ralf Rangnick at Man Utd

Manchester United first-team coach Mike Phelan has opened up on his new role under interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

Phelan, who was Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant between 2008 and 2013, remained at Old Trafford following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November.

Chris Armas, Ewan Sharp, and Sascha Lense were recently added to Rangnick's backroom staff, while Michael Carrick, Kieran McKenna and Martyn Pert have all departed since the German's arrival.

The United stalwart has reportedly been tasked with boosting morale in the dressing room and will put on fewer coaching sessions in the coming months.

The Red Devils are currently seventh in the Premier League and are in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification.

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Some United fans have described Phelan as a "cheerleader", yet he remains an important member of Rangnick's coaching team.

"I don't coach as much now as I used to because there are a few different coaches," said Phelan in the autumn, as quoted by The Athletic.

"When I was coaching I did go over my sessions. Was I getting what I wanted? Or why didn't I get it?

"Sometimes you put a session on and it just flows. Wow. You don't have to step in too much. But you analyse that as to why it did flow well.

"Then there are areas where it could be better. You say, 'Where can I take that session? Do I add a bit, take a bit out?'

"I've had sessions where five or six things are going on - fitness, skill, finishing, technical - when really I only needed two. So you separate.

"Gone are the days when I get angry at certain things. I still do, but it's a little bit more calculated than it was before. I am more responsible now for analysing the game, giving a clearer view, than just lecture.

"I'm tired after watching a game. I feel as if I've played three games. I need a glass of wine and something to eat.

"But it is non-stop. As soon as you finish the game, it's hard to look back because you're onto the next one. So we've got to keep moving on."

Phelan and his United colleagues will be desperate to win their next game against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Monday evening.

The competition is the club's best chance of winning silverware this season after falling out of the Premier League title race.

United are still in the Champions League, but are not expected to win it due to the calibre of the teams still in the illustrious competition, such as Manchester City.

The Red Devils haven't won a major trophy since their Europa League triumph in May 2017.

"They are at least trying," said Rangnick when asked if the players are behind him, Phelan and the rest of the coaching staff.

"I'm sure that they are listening... they are trying to follow the advice that we give them, that I give them.

"We conceded less goals than before, I think we have an average of - let me check if it is true - it is 0.6 in those six games, but yes, still, it's about balance.

"We need to find the best possible balance between offence and defence and we still have something to do to get better on [this]."