Work permit knocks Rangnick out of Arsenal clash Thursday
Manchester United have announced that interim manager Ralf Rangnick will not be in charge of Thursday’s clash with Arsenal as the club continues to overcome issues relating to the German’s visa.
Rangnick’s appointment until the end of the season was confirmed on Monday but immediately there were concerns that he would be prevented from starting the job by work-permit red tape.
Club staff were told at Carrington on Monday that Rangnick is unlikely to be in charge until the end of the week, while the 63-year-old German waits for his permit to be approved.
United remain hopeful Rangnick, who has replaced the sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on a short-term contract until the end of the season, will be given the green light to take over in time for Palace’s visit on Sunday.
Caretaker boss Michael Carrick will remain in charge until Rangnick’s arrival after overseeing a Champions League win over Villarreal and a draw at Premier League leaders Chelsea.
A club statement on Tuesday morning read: ‘Ralf Rangnick was announced as interim manager on Monday but, while the club follows the regulatory process around a work visa, Carrick will continue at the helm.
‘Michael has communicated this to players and staff at Carrington in a busy week for the club.
The Old Trafford showdown with the Gunners is already pivotal in the race for Champions League football with Arsenal level on points with fourth-place West Ham.
United are five points behind the Gunners and need to turn their season around quickly to have any chance of finishing in the top four.
After his arrival was confirmed on Monday, United announced that Carrick and the rest of Solskjaer’s backroom team — assistant Mike Phelan, coach Kieran McKenna and goalkeeper coach Richard Hartis — will be staying at the club.
READ ALSOLokomotiv Moscow pays tribute to Rangnick after Man u move
Rangnick will be allowed to bring in a small number of coaching staff, although his trusted video analyst Lars Kornetka is staying at Lokomotiv Moscow to replace him as director of sports and development.
United expressed their gratitude for the Russian club’s co-operation after it emerged that they did not have to pay compensation to release Rangnick from the remaining two-and-a-half years of his contract.
The former Schalke, Hoffenheim and Leipzig coach has been offered a two-year consultancy role at United beyond the end of this season, although it is understood that he could land the manager’s job on a permanent basis if results go well.