Ralf Rangnick stat sends Manchester United important message amid managerial search

"Any manager news?"

Those three words will be etched into the minds of all Manchester United reporters at this moment in time, an almost inevitable response to every story, tweet or opinion shared, regardless of the subject matter.

The frenzy was sparked by United themselves when they made clear their intentions following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last November. Michael Carrick would oversee things on a caretaker basis, and then Ralf Rangnick would lead the side until the end of the season, stepping aside when the right person was identified to take on the permanent role.

"It's a bit strange," Fred admitted to TNT Sports Brasil earlier in the week when asked about working under an interim choice. "I know in football it's important to get good results as soon as possible, but it's also important to have a long-term plan.

"I think it's a little bit bad for us not to have one, at the moment it's all about the short-term goals. We don't know how it's going to be after the end of this season."

Right, said Fred.

United have found themselves in such a managerial mess because they have been far too focused on short-term goals rather than long-term planning, and if they make the same mistake this summer, then they will only continue to repeat the perpetual cycle which sees them treading water while Man City and Liverpool chase records.

United still wish to appoint a manager before the end of the season, but so much remains up in the air given the fluctuating form on the field, current commitments of candidates for the role, out-of-contract players nearing the end of their deals and the fact that United don't know which European competition (if any) they will be playing in next season.

A source familiar with the