Erik ten Hag doesn't need Ralf Rangnick to help him succeed at Manchester United

The Ralf Rangnick era at Manchester United will go down as one of the stranger episodes in the Old Trafford soap opera of recent seasons. Rangnick was appointed as interim manager on the back of two coaching spells in the previous 10 years, lasting a total of just 88 games, and was an unmitigated disaster in the dugout at United.

The 63-year-old won just 11 of his 29 games in charge, abandoned his principles after two matches, alienated almost the entire dressing room and earned at least one rebuke from those above him in the chain of command as well.

Despite all that, he is feted by some United supporters and hailed on social media as one of the key figures in what it is hoped will be the turnaround of the modern United, from laughing stock to challengers once again.

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Yet the laughter has never been louder than under Rangnick. In those 29 games, it's hard to think of more than three of four where Rangnick's tactical plans outwitted the opposition.

This is an interim manager who made matters on the pitch worse rather than better, who improved perhaps just one player on his watch and failed to get his methods across on the training ground.

He is idolised by some supporters because he has been a vocal critic in press conferences, of the club's previous recruitment and of the players.

In his introductory press conference at Old Trafford on Monday, Erik ten Hag said Rangnick's two-year consultancy contract was now "on the club". As the Manchester Evening News revealed on Tuesday, the pair have no face-to-face talks scheduled and might only talk remotely.

Some of the reaction to that was confusion as to why Ten Hag wouldn't want to talk to