You can be eliminated against Atlético Madrid – no question.
However, the manner in which the great Manchester United attempted to crack the rojiblancos at the venerable Old Trafford on Tuesday night was sobering.
Champions League
Three things that stood out: Ronaldo harmless against disgusting Atlético
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YESTERDAY AT 00:01
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Cristiano Ronaldo bowed his head, shook it once to the left, once to the right, and then slunk away in frustration.
Whether he will ever play again for Manchester United in the premier league is one of the big questions United are now asking.
What else needs to be answered:
1. The coaching question: who will be the new ManUnited coach?
It was already clear when the 61-year-old took office that Ralf Rangnick would not be on the sidelines of the Red Devils after the end of the season, but would switch to an advisory role for two years next summer.
Scholes said: “I don’t want to dig into Rangnick any further, he seems really nice and comes across well in interviews, he’s very honest but how he was chosen to be at this club for six months until the end of the season train, I’ll never understand.”
There are some rumors about Rangnick’s successor, but so far the list of candidates remains manageable – and of course Rangnick himself is also involved in the search for his own successor.
Ralf Rangnick was eliminated from the Champions League with Manchester United
Fotocredit: Getty Images
You could already read about Mauricio Pochettino, Erik ten Hag or Luis Enrique. But there is also speculation about Ralph Hasenhüttl. According to information from “Mirror”, the Southampton coach should be on the list and already knows Rangnick from their times together at RB Leipzig. The Austrian actually wanted to end his contract with the Saints after his contract expired, but an offer from the Red Devils could make him reconsider.
And then there was also the rumor about Julian Nagelsmann. According to ESPN, the Bayern coach is being considered by United CEO Richard Arnold and the Glazer family for the post of head coach.
Even if a change of the German star coach is highly unlikely: the question of who will be on the coaching bench for the Red Devils in the coming season is one of the hottest in football business.
2. What will happen to Cristiano Ronaldo?
No less hot and at least as urgent is the question of Cristiano Ronaldo’s future.
It is very likely that CR7 will turn their backs on their beloved Manchester United for the second time in the summer. The currently still unresolved coaching question is not exactly conducive to an agreement on further cooperation – especially since the coming season at United is likely to be a transitional season.
It’s doubtful that Ronaldo at his age would have the patience to wait while the club is busy building a future that he’s ultimately no longer involved in.
The Champions League season is over for Cristiano Ronaldo and ManUnited
Fotocredit: Getty Images
The Portuguese is not a development worker, but in win-now mode in the late autumn of his career. In his old age he will be drawn to places where titles are being played and where the financial framework is also in place.
Ronaldo and Manchester United: This chapter should be over at the end of the season.
3. How can the current season be saved?
Now that United have been eliminated from all cup competitions and are fifth in the Premier League, a full 20 points behind leaders and city rivals Man City, it is already clear that the Red Devils will remain without a title for the fifth year in a row.
However, Rangnick continued to be combative on Tuesday. “For us it’s now about finishing the season as well as possible and possibly finishing fourth. It’s going to be difficult, we know that too,” he said on “Prime Video”.
A look at the table doesn’t seem so hopeless at first glance, after all United are only one point behind Arsenal FC in fifth place. But if you take a closer look, the crux quickly becomes clear, because Arsenal still have a whopping three games to catch up, which in the worst case could increase the gap to the Champions League positions for ManUnited to ten points.
“Six, maybe seven games” now have to be won, predicts Rangnick. “In any case, away against Arsenal, of course. That will be the task now.”
The landmark clash with the Gunners takes place at the Emirates on April 23.
4. Will the big upheaval come in the summer?
Whether qualifying for the premier class will work out will also determine how big the renovation work will be in the red part of Manchester next summer – and that doesn’t mean the demolition and rebuilding of the legendary Old Trafford Stadium.
There is a good core of young players, but there are also some who don’t meet the high standards at the moment. The new coach, whoever that will be, has to assess the situation as quickly as possible and act according to his philosophy of the game. He must not shy away from big names.
Paul Pogba
Fotocredit: Getty Images
“They will rebuild a large part of the squad in the summer and completely renew the team,” estimates United expert Ibrahim Mustapha from Eurosport UK in London the situation but at the same time adds that this project will be difficult due to the high cost structure, especially when it comes to salaries.
Angered Rangnick: “Referee made it easy for Atletico”
Premier League
CR807: Only the best in history does such things
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12/03/2022 AM 23:32
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Premier League
807. Match goal! Ronaldo top scorer in history
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12/03/2022 AM 19:01
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