United's Rangnick fails to live up to 'Godfather' billing

MANCHESTER: When Ralf Rangnick took over as interim manager of Manchester United he was hailed as the "Godfather of German coaching" and hoped that after taking a firm grip on the side he would be made an offer he couldn't refuse - to guide the club in the coming years.

But far from becoming the Don of Old Trafford, the 63-year-old is now widely expected to be replaced by Dutchman Erik ten Hag and his reputation as a tactical revolutionary has been tarnished by his uninspiring spell in charge of the team.

On Tuesday (Apr 19), United fell to sixth place in the league standings after a 4-0 defeat by Liverpool. While debate rages about the reasons for the club's decline, with fingers pointed at the club's owners and directors, Rangnick cut a sorry figure at Anfield.

"It is embarrassing, it is disappointing, maybe even humiliating. We have to accept they (Liverpool) are six years ahead of us now," he said.

"The team needs a rebuild ... for me it's clear there will be six, seven, eight, maybe 10 new players."

Rangnick had a very different assessment of the players when he took over, appointed until the end of this season with an agreement for a further two years as a consultant.

"The squad is full of talent and has a great balance of youth and experience," he said at his first news conference.

"All my efforts for the next six months will be on helping these players fulfil their potential, both individually and, most importantly, as a team."

Why Rangnick has failed to achieve those goals is a matter of contention - some blame the players for their attitude, others the lack of a clear structure at the club.

"You look at the United team, there's no heart, no soul, no leaders," said former captain Roy Keane in his role as a TV pundit.

"The