New Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has warned that his intense pressing philosophy may not work immediately, as it will be more than a few weeks before players become “monsters” pent-up” under his watch.
The Red Devils will play their first game with Rangnick in charge on Sunday against Crystal Palace.
The German coach takes over from caretaker manager Michael Carrick, who Completely resign from the club after Manchester United beat Arsenal last week.
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“I have to take them away and accept where they are,” Rangnick told reporters. “They’re experienced and smart enough to know that. I can’t turn the players we have into the urgent monsters I want them to be in for two, three or four weeks.
“You have to know what kind of players you have and their position. I can’t ask them things they can’t offer right now.
“My football is definitely not a slow waltz! I’m no different from Jurgen Klopp in our ideas for a style of football. It’s no secret.”
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Meanwhile, when asked if he could match Thomas Tuchel’s instant success at Chelsea, he quashed expectations.
“To win the Champions League, to finish fourth in the league, and now to top the league with almost the same players? That’s a huge achievement,” he said. “I’m not sure I can say things will develop the same way for me at Manchester United.”
Manchester United players, and attacking players in particular, have come under a lot of criticism this year for not defending well without the ball.
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They were particularly blown away by the level of their effort in their loss to Leicester City in October, when the Foxes overwhelmed them in the second half.
Rangnick will require more pressure than players are used to – but it remains to be seen whether they achieve what is required.
