Ralf Rangnick must solve Cristiano Ronaldo issue to get best out of Man Utd side

Ralf Rangnick confirmed as Manchester United interim manager

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He has won everything there is to win at club level, but Ralf Rangnick’s arrival at Manchester United could be the most fascinating journey of Cristiano Ronaldo’s illustrious career. The former Real Madrid and Juventus star has sparked, lit, and carried the torch for the Red Devils who have endured a horrific start to the Premier League.

Six goals in five Champions League starts, six goals and two assists in eleven Premier League appearances; his numbers, as usual, have been nothing short of sublime.

However, the legendary Portuguese star may have to adapt his game under Rangnick, whose Gegenpress philosophy thrives or dies under collective and cohesive pressing.

Ronaldo has been frequently slammed for his supposed lack of sprinting and pressing this season – maybe his statistics have been so low due to the fact he has almost carried United on his back this season.

At times, many have even suggested United are a worse side when Ronaldo is leading the line for the Reds.

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While the 36-year-old may not be able to get across the Old Trafford turf as quickly as he did eleven seasons ago; his goals, leadership, and mentality speak much louder than any printing characteristics.

Rangnick’s has spent over thirty years crafting, perfecting, and adapting his philosophy; therefore, the chances of the former RB Leipzig manager choosing not to impose his life’s work on what is arguably the biggest football club in the world are slim.

When pushed upon an explanation of ‘Gegenpressing’, the German compared his strategy to pregnancy.

“A little bit of pressing? Come on, what is a little bit of pressing,” Rangnick said in a past interview with Tribuna. 

“A little bit of pressing is like a little bit of pregnant.

“Either you are pregnant or not? Either you want to play pressing or not?”

If those, albeit unorthodox, comments are anything to go by, then Rangnick will not be set to make any exceptions for Ronaldo.

Rangnick is one of the most experienced managers in the footballing world, who will more than appreciate the difference Ronaldo can make, pressing or no pressing.

It will likely be a question of ‘How can the German impose his system in way that accommodates Ronaldo’s incredible ability but also complements his strategy?’

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And Patrick Vieira’s dynamic and unpredictable Crystal Palace side could be the perfect opposition to test that conundrum.

Rangnick does not have the luxury of a pre-season to fine-tune and prepare this United side for his hefty demands.

Trial by error could be a prominent theme from now until the end of the season.

Nobody, perhaps not even Rangnick, will be able to predict how this talented, but under extracted, United side will cope with his demands.

Yet this unpredictability could revive what precious little is left of the infamous United fear factor – if Ronaldo and the rest of the team click, then watch them fly with the furious speed of the Red Arrows.

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