Manchester United appoint Ralf Rangnick as interim manager until end of season

Manchester United have appointed Ralf Rangnick as the club's interim manager until the end of the season, it has been announced.

Rangnick, 63, has left his role as head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow and signed a six-month contract at Old Trafford.

The German was in advanced negotiations with United and a breakthrough was reached when a consultancy role was offered as part of Rangnick's move to the club.

Welcome to Manchester United, Ralf Rangnick 🔴🇩🇪#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 29, 2021

Rangnick takes charge of his first game when United host rivals Arsenal on Dec. 2 in the Premier League. He has previously managed Hannover, Schalke, Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

United have been searching for an interim manager since the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the dismal 4-1 defeat at Watford on Nov. 20.

Former midfielder Michael Carrick was previously in caretaker charge. He was at the helm for two games as he first guided United to a 2-0 win at Villarreal to secure a place in the Champions League knockout rounds before claiming a 1-1 draw to Chelsea in his only Premier League game.

United held talks with former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde and that Lucien Favre, previously at Borussia Dortmund, was also a candidate.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino remains United's long-term target, but the club had an initial enquiry about his immediate availability knocked back.

Sources added that Pochettino would be keen on the vacancy at Old Trafford but is under contract in Paris until 2023 after signing an extension in the summer.