Staff Reporter.
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Lokomotiv Moscow for the Russian club’s head of sports and development Ralf Rangnick to move to Old Trafford as interim manager.
The deal is not yet complete, as some contractual elements remain to be sorted out and there needs to be an application for a work permit.
However, it is now just a question of time before an official announcement that Rangnick will replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager for the remainder of the season.
The German, 63, will then stay on at the Old Trafford club for an additional two years in a consultancy role.
United strongly believe Rangnick will offer valuable insight and resource on the football side beyond the end of the season.4
Michael Carrick is still expected to be in charge for Sunday’s Premier League game at Chelsea.
Carrick was placed in temporary charge while United sought to appoint an interim boss following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday.
United are planning to make a permanent appointment at the end of the season and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is their first choice, with Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag also in their thinking.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Carrick would not be drawn on reports that United are poised to name Rangnick as interim manager.
“From my point of view there’s a lot of speculation and reports, but as I’m sitting here now I’m preparing the team for the game (against Chelsea on Sunday),” Carrick said.
“My head’s in the game. I haven’t got any more news to share with you on that front. I’m just looking forward to getting down to London to play against Chelsea.”