Ralf Rangnick could help Manchester United sign their own N’Golo Kante

Ralf Rangnick's future at Manchester United remains rather unclear following the news that he will manage the Austrian national side from the end of his role as interim manager at Old Trafford.

For some, the announcement of Rangnick's new job was another stick to beat United with, further evidence that they are a club with no long-term plan who are paying the price for his risky appointment in the first place. For others, it is not such an issue. International football allows much more free time, and the German coach will still have time in his schedule to help United if they need him.

The only real question is whether or not United actually need him at all. While the 63-year-old has been a refreshing alternative with his honest appraisal of the club, it is hard to envisage any situation where they would need to seek his opinion in any decision-making process when they need to be putting trust in Erik ten Hag.

READ MORE: Ralf Rangnick has given Manchester United what they needed

Rangnick's long-term impact at United might not be with hands-on work or in-person assessments, but instead it could come as a result of his work in the international management world and the influence he could have on potential transfer targets.

By keeping him on in an official capacity, it will be in Rangnick's interest for both Austria and United to prosper, something which could strengthen any hopes Ten Hag's side has of signing Konrad Laimer this summer.

United's primary focus is on signing at least one new midfielder at the end of the season and RB Leipzig star Laimer is one of those hotly linked with a switch to Old Trafford. The 24-year-old was signed by the Bundesliga club back when Rangnick was their director of football, and he will