Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Schweinsteiger: Why Rangnick is the right man

Friday 28 January 2022 15:36

Germany legend and former Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger believes Ralf Rangnick is the right man to usher in a new era at Old Trafford.

Excitingly, Schweinsteiger is the latest guest on the UTD Podcast, with the World Cup winner joining hosts Sam Homewood and Helen Evans for an exclusive chat which you can listen to from Monday.

Basti, who made 35 appearances for the Reds between 2015 and 2017 after a trophy-laden decade with Bayern Munich, knows Rangnick well from his time in the Bundesliga.

He was particularly impressed with the role Ralf performed at Red Bull Leipzig and thinks the 63-year-old can also have a galvanising effect in Manchester.

Download the United App to listen to the Schweinsteiger podcast first.

“Yes, I actually know him quite well as a coach from Stuttgart and Schalke but especially when he was working as a coach for Red Bull Leipzig,” said Basti, who retired from football in 2019.

“He was doing some great things like how he works, how he sees the game, how he sees the club. He really can help Man United with creating a new era, with not only the game on the field but also for the whole club.

“That’s what is needed at the moment and that’s why I think he is the right person.”

Rangnick became renowned for his work with young players in Germany and he has given several Academy graduates chances already while interim manager at United.

Anthony Elanga has already grabbed his opportunity in the first team, getting a run of games in the starting XI, scoring a goal at Brentford and even having his own chant.

That’s the type of thing Basti wants to see more of in football and he sees Rangnick as the perfect figure to deliver it.

Have you heard Elanga's new chant?

 Article

We love the tune, which honours a classic '90s dance hit!

“I don’t know but I think it should be in a club more often the case that you have those youth players get into the first team,” he added.

“What we had also in Munich, always the feeling that the players who were bought were more attractive. It should be the other way round, like it was at Barcelona.

“They had these players coming up from the youth [team], like [Sergio] Busquets, Xavi and all those players. They were appreciating and helping those players.

“The supporters have a better connection to those players who come out of the youth team. I think Ralf Rangnick has that eye for the youth players at United and that’s important.”

Goal of the Day: Schweinsteiger v Wigan Video

Goal of the Day: Schweinsteiger v Wigan

Bastian Schweinsteiger became the first German to score for United at Old Trafford, with this effort against Wigan...

Look out for the full UTD Podcast with Basti – you will be able to listen exclusively via the Manchester United app from 17:00 GMT on Monday 31 January.

The podcast will be made available on your usual podcast streaming platforms the following day.

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