Ralf Rangnick confirms double Man Utd appointment in backroom staff overhaul

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has confirmed Chris Armas and sports psychologist Sascha Lense will join his backroom staff in the next few days.

Armas and Lense are the first two people to be appointed to the German's behind-the-scenes team following the departure of first-team coach Michael Carrick.

Rangnick confirmed the appointments at his press conference ahead of United's Champions League group stage match against Young Boys on Wednesday.

The new boss isn't expected to make drastic changes to the coaching set-up after succeeding Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on a temporary basis.

Former LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire midfielder Armas arrives at Old Trafford following spells in charge of MLS teams New York Red Bulls and Toronto.

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Rangnick previous worked with Armas while he was head of sport and development for Red Bull's football clubs, including RB Leipzig.

Former Dynamo Dresden midfielder Lense, meanwhile, held a similar role at Leipzig between 2015 and 2021.

"It won't be that many," said Rangnick, when asked about potential appointments. "So far I'm very happy to work with the staff I have met in the last week.

"They gave me a lot of help in the last couple of days in preparation for the Crystal Palace game.

"We have decided to bring in a sports psychologist, with Sascha Lense. He's from Germany, a former second division player.

"I used to work with him for three years at Leipzig, one year in the year that we won promotion from the second to the first division, with myself, and the following two years when Ralph Hasenhuttl was head coach.

"So we know each other since then. He will be introduced to the team as soon as he has got his visa and work permit. I hope we will have him on board tomorrow or at the latest Thursday.

"Chris Armas used to be the assistant coach at New York Red Bulls under Jesse Marsch, that was five years ago when I first met him. Since then, we have met quite frequently.

"Also in my role as head of global for Red Bull, in the last three years he was the head coach for the New York Red Bulls and Toronto in the MLS.

"He will again hopefully join our team in the next two days."

Rangnick was expected to be working with Carrick before his departure last Thursday.

The ex-midfielder stepped in as caretaker manager for United's games against Villarreal, Chelsea and Arsenal.

"After a lot of thought and deliberation, I have decided that now is the right time for me to leave the club," revealed Carrick.

"I want to place on record my thanks to all of the players and a special mention goes to the backroom staff, working long hours with such a great group of people has been a real pleasure and I have made some long-lasting friendships."