Exclusive: Ralf's matchday must-read interview

Saturday 09 April 2022 07:00

Ralf Rangnick is expecting another tough Premier League battle when his Manchester United side visit relegation-threatened Everton on Saturday lunchtime.

Our interim manager spoke of the high intensity throughout the Premier League as he looked ahead to our clash on Merseyside.

During an exclusive chat with club media's Mark Sullivan, Rangnick was asked about possible future rule changes in the game and he had plenty of praise for the in-form Fred...

There has been a lot talk about having a stop-clock in football and whether the timer should be stopped when the ball goes out of play because sometimes games can actually be less than an hour in terms of the ball being in play – what are your thoughts on that and would that be a good idea going forward?
“That’s what is being done in ice hockey for example and in other sports. To be honest I don’t see that happening in football because some games would not only last maybe 98 minutes, but probably 120 without additional time. I know it’s being discussed and it might be a nice idea, but I think it will not happen. What is good in England compared to other leagues is the added time at the end is much longer than I was used to in Germany and I think that’s quite a good thing.”

Generally where do you stand on changes to the laws of the game? Are you in favour in this continuing the evolution of the sport and that things should be changed moving forward to progress?
“We had those discussions in Germany and Europe with the change of the backpass rule and offside rule and five substitutions, and quite a few of those things have been done. I remember a couple of years ago saying how tall players are and goalkeepers are when the size of the goals had been decided upon in the soccer rules - one could also think about whether the goal could be a little higher and wider and taller in total because the goalkeepers and the players are on average taller than a hundred years ago. But again that would mean you’d have to change worldwide and I don’t know how many goals you’d have to change and replace, so I’m not sure it’s a realistic thing to happen.”

Matchday Q&A: Ralf expects a Goodison battle Video

Matchday Q&A: Ralf expects a Goodison battle

Matchday Q&A | Rangnick discusses the high intensity in the Premier League as Reds prepare for Everton trip...

Some of the players out on loan are doing particularly well, including James Garner who has been doing really well at Nottingham Forest. How impressed have you been with him and how much will you be rooting for him to get promotion?
“To be honest I haven’t seen that many games of Nottingham Forest but I will probably do that in the next couple of weeks with my staff and the analysis team. I’ve heard he’s scored four goals and had four assists there, but my focus, as you can imagine has been on the current team in the last weeks and months. This is certainly good if players get gametime somewhere and do well, and this is the idea behind a loan period.”

How pleasing is it when you see someone flourish – looking specifically at Fred who has had six goal contributions in 13 appearances compared to five in 87 before that. He seems to be flourishing right now – how pleasing is that as a coach?
“I’m not surprised to be honest because he’s the type of player that if you want to play a proactive style of football then he has a lot of assets that you need. He’s always trying to win balls and is always on the front foot and he’s also one of the most underestimated players in possession of the ball. He can score goals, give assists and that’s why he’s also regularly playing for Brazil. I’m not surprised at his development.”

Has the intensity of the Premier League surprised you at all? No matter who you play it’s fiercely competitive…
“That’s what was clear from a very early stage for me and that’s the biggest difference between here and all the other leagues in Europe – it’s highly physical. And even if you look at the game last Wednesday, Burnley against Everton, then this was a high level of pace, physicality and a very aggressive and competitive game. If you compare that with other European leagues that’s the biggest difference.”

It's an early kick-off – is that different to what you’re used to in Germany where games are later and evening kick-offs?
“It’s true here in England too, but a 12.30 kick-off does not happen in Germany, it’s 1.30 I think in the second division at times, but in the first Bundesliga the earliest is 3.30. This is something you get used to. Since I’ve been here it’s not the first early kick-off game we’ve had, I think it’s okay. As long as it’s not 10.30 then everything is fine!”

How’s your team looking ahead of the trip to Everton?
“We have Cristiano back again, but four players injured. Edinson Cavani is still missing for the next three or four weeks. Rapha Varane is injured and hasn’t been able to train since the last game when he got injured and that’s why he cannot play unfortunately. We have Scott McTominay injured, he has problems with the sole of his foot and the fourth one is Luke Shaw who we had to take off at half-time against Leicester and it turns out he has problems with the metal work in his leg when he had an operation back in 2015 I think. The doctor informed me that they have now decided to remove two of those bolts and that’s why he will be missing, not only for Everton but also in the next two or three weeks.”

Part 1: Ralf’s press conference v Everton Video

Part 1: Ralf’s press conference v Everton

In the first part of his media briefing: Rangnick on the manager search, his future role and a good week’s training…

Part 2: Ralf’s press conference v Everton Video

Part 2: Ralf’s press conference v Everton

In part two of the press conference, Rangnick elaborates on Shaw’s injury and is asked about Donny van de Beek…

GET INVOLVED!

While you're here, why not vote in our topical pre-match polls? Share your opinion below and see what other Reds are saying...

In our interview, Ralf discusses the idea of a stop-clock in football: would you bring it in?poll

In our interview, Ralf discusses the idea of a stop-clock in football: would you bring it in?

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If you were a player, would you be intimidated or motivated by a hostile Goodison Park? Be honest now...

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Who will fulfil Scott McTominay’s role in the United midfield at Everton on Saturday?

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Which of the five most popular scores in United Predictions do you favour?

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