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I don’t think I’ve spoken to one Manchester United supporter who isn’t excited about the arrival of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager.
United confirmed on Monday that Rangnick has signed a six-month deal to become the manager until the end of the season, before taking up a two-year consultancy role at Old Trafford.
Rangnick is known as the ‘godfather of gegenpressing,’ the famed German style of counter-pressing football championed by the likes of Jurgen Klopp.
You’re immediately instructed to win the ball back after you’ve lost possession – something that United haven’t really been doing this season to any great effect.
Since Rangnick’s appointment was announced, there’s been plenty of speculation with regard to who he’ll favour in his United team.
From what I can gather, a lot of people seem to think Paul Pogba’s career at Old Trafford is coming to the end of the line.
There is a growing impression that Pogba doesn’t press and I’d concur he sometimes looks disinterested and requires other players to accommodate his needs.
The 28-year-old is currently injured but still has seven assists to his name this season and, when he does return, I think they’ll be some supporters surprised at what Rangnick can do with him.
If we’re going to base Rangnick’s favoured type of player on pressing alone, Pogba ranks surprisingly highly. Looking at average pressures per 90 minutes in the United squad this season, he comes in third behind an unsurprising top two of Jesse Lingard (30 per 90) and Fred (26.2 per 90).
Pogba has averaged 19.4, which is higher than the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani – two players who’ve been praised for their…
