Transfer Centre

Ralf Rangnick keen to help Manchester United find the next Erling Braut Haaland

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 29 April 2022

Rangnick keen to help Man United find the next Haaland

Manchester United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick says that his consultancy role will see him play a key role in the club's recruitment.

Manchester United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick has said that his consultancy role at Old Trafford will see him play a key role in the club's recruitment moving forward.

The German has agreed to become Austria's new manager, but he will remain with Man United as an advisor, with the agreement expected to run for an initial two years.

The 63-year-old, who identified a number of young stars during his time at RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg, has revealed that he will be looking to help find the next Erling Braut Haaland, with the Norway international becoming one of the leading forwards in world football during his time at Borussia Dortmund.

"For me, the most important bit is recruitment now. This is, for me, the most vital point, that we bring in the best possible players and speak about that, who could that be," Rangnick told reporters. "It's not only identifying those players but meeting them, convincing them to join this club, even though we will not be playing in the Champions League.

"This is what I see as the most important bit. Again, also, with regard to top talented players for the academy, identifying those kind of players. My personal opinion is that the club should try to find future top star players and develop them.

"Again, on the other hand, just tell me five players that might be some of those players that you spoke about... Haaland is a young player. He's 21 or 22. This is one of those players I spoke about.

"But, on the other hand, he has developed in the last two years into one of probably the most expensive strikers in the world. But, yes, he could be, he would be one of those examples where I think the focus should be on to try and identify and find and then convince players who could be Manchester United players for the next couple of years."

Man United, at one stage, were thought to be among the favourites to sign Haaland this summer, but Manchester City are believed to be battling Real Madrid and Barcelona for his signature.