Rangnick's masterplan including Man Utd weaknesses and four transfer targets

After getting his Manchester United tenure off to a winning start with victory over Crystal Palace last weekend, Ralf Rangnick was brought back to earth in midweek.

The Red Devils could only manage a 1-1 draw with Young Boys in their final Champions League group-stage game, meaning they failed to defeat the Swiss minnows either home or away.

Admittedly, Rangnick rotated his options en masse and United had little to play for having already wrapped up qualification in top spot.

The newly-appointed interim manager was keen to take a look at his fringe players and kick off his reign by giving every player an opportunity to impress.

Yet, as it happened, it was two first-team regulars who combined for United's opening goal as Mason Greenwood acrobatically volleyed in Luke Shaw's cross.

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Indeed, Rangnick's rotation went largely unrewarded and it was felt most sorely in central midfield, where Donny van de Beek failed to impress as the No.6 behind Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata.

The Dutchman, starved of opportunities under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, failed to capitalise on his chance and gave the ball away in the defensive third for Bagian Rieder's brilliant equaliser just before half-time.

United's midfield has been discussed at length by managers, pundits and fans throughout the first half of the season due to concerns over a lack of strength and depth.

Rangnick himself gave a largely positive verdict on Scott McTominay and Fred after the duo helped the Red Devils keep their first clean sheet at Old Trafford this season in Sunday's 1-0 win over Palace.

But he tempered his praise by pointing out that sideways passes are an element of their games they must cut out to make the grade under his regime.

"They did one or two or three mistakes, especially in the first half there were two square passes; one from Scott, one from Fred," Rangnick said. "I don't like those kinds of balls in midfield."

The 63-year-old will not be surprised by United's issues in midfield, as ESPN reports he highlighted this position as a problem area during his interview with club chiefs John Murtough, Darren Fletcher and Ed Woodward.

Fortunately for the Old Trafford faithful, Rangnick has a plan to rectify the situation and he has already identified three targets who would bring much-needed mettle to his side's spine.

Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham, Leeds stalwart Kalvin Phillips and RB Leipzig's Amadou Haidara are on the shortlist, with the interim boss keen for United to scout the trio.

Haidara, 23, is a player Premier League fans will know less about compared to England internationals Phillips, 26, and Bellingham, 18, but Rangnick is highly familiar with the Malian from his time with the Red Bull stable of clubs.

The German is a highly-respected sporting director as well as a coach, so United may be inclined to lean heavily on his expertise in upcoming transfer windows.

The report adds Rangnick has been encouraged to assess possible January signings, although he sees his immediate task as one of trimming a bloated squad rather than splashing out.

Nonetheless, another name was on his lips during his discussions with football director Murtough, technical director Fletcher and executive vice-chairman Woodward: Erling Haaland.

Bellingham's Dortmund teammate is expected to be at the centre of a frenzied transfer battle next summer, when a release clause in the region of £68million will reportedly come into force.

This would suggest Rangnick views signing a central midfielder and a striker as United's priorities at the end of the season, when his interim spell will end and he will take on a consultancy role, unless he is handed the manager job's permanently.

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In the meantime, he may continue to place trust in the club's flourishing youngsters having handed debuts to Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal, both 18, on Wednesday.

Next up for the Red Devils is an attractive fixture on paper, a trip to 19th-placed Norwich in Saturday's evening game.

With a solid, if unspectacular, first two games behind him and a transfer vision for the future, Rangnick's immediate task is to close the three-point gap on the top four in search of all-important Champions League qualification.