Ralf Rangnick believes his honest assessment of Manchester United’s need an ‘open heart operation’ has been proven correct.

Former Red Devils manager Rangnick, who now looks after the Austrian national team, did not hold back in his criticism of United during his time as interim boss. The German spent seven months at Old Trafford following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in November 2021, before Erik ten Hag was eventually announced as his successor.

Rangnick openly told reporters at the time that the club was in need of an ‘open heart operation’ amid major concerns over the playing squad, and that blunt evaluation was later backed up by Ten Hag, who agreed that changes needed to be made to take the club forward.

Now, Rangnick has doubled down on his assessment of United, claiming that the past few years have only served as evidence for his claim.

“I probably made that statement when the season was almost over about two years ago,” Rangnick told TV2. “It is probably only two or three weeks since Erik ten Hag was asked the same thing. Then he said that I was right in my analysis. I don’t know how many players they have signed since, but it looks like I was right.

“Before I left for Manchester, I had a long and thorough talk with Solskjaer, two hours in fact. But there is no point in going into detail, it was a long time ago and is not exciting. But I am coach for Austria now and am not close enough to United to assess the status there.”

It’s been a slow start to the 2024/25 campaign for United , who beat Fulham before falling to a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion and a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of rivals Liverpool.

The Red Devils are set to face Southampton at St Mary’s when the Premier League returns, during which Ten Hag will hope to impress those in charge at the club as he seeks to alleviate the pressure on his shoulders.

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