Ralf Rangnick says lack of physicality is biggest issue with Man United squad

Rangnick has advised the club to work on four key areas

Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has identified a lack of physicality in the club's first team as a major issue to address for the next permanent manager. United fell further behind in the battle to finish in the top four after they drew 1-1 with Leicester City at home on Saturday. Rangnick's time as manager is set to come to an end in a matter of weeks, with United recently stepping up their pursuit of a new manager, with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag the reported favourite following two positive interviews. Rangnick is set to move upstairs into a consultancy role after the end of the season and ahead of transferring into his new, longer-term role at United, the German has been making recommendations ahead of yet another rebuild.

The four-point plan

As revealed by The Telegraph, as well as prioritising physical, aggressive players in the transfer window, Rangnick has recommended three other points for the club to follow.

• Copying Manchester City and Liverpool by recruiting unconditionally to the specific playing style of the new manager once known
• Thorough profiling of a player's “DNA” before signing
• Being prepared to accept it could take up three transfer windows to put right provided the plan is followed

'Maybe in two or three transfer windows, then the situation could be different'

During his post-match interview on Saturday, Rangnick went into more detail about his vision outlined for the future of the club. "Manchester City and Liverpool … have been built together and recruited over a period of five or six years - all of them under the premise of how the coaches want to play," the interim boss said. "I told the board this is what has to happen [at United]. "Whenever the new head coach is clear, it has to be: how does he want to play and what kind of players do we need for that? Then we come back to DNA, speed, physicality, tempo. "What do we need? This team does not lack technical players, it can do with more physicality. "It takes right decisions and [clarity over] where you want to go: what kind of players, want kind of manager and then, in every transfer window, try to get the best possible. This is rocket science. "It has to be done and, if that happens, it does not necessarily need three or four years. Maybe in two or three transfer windows, then the situation could be different." Related links:

• Gary Neville suspects new Man United manager could be named this week
• Erik ten Hag breaks silence on his future after Manchester United interview
• Louis van Gaal takes dig at Man United when asked about Erik ten Hag