Manchester United’s hunt for a permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continues, as Ralf Rangnick’s time as the interim manager is running out.
The German manager was appointed as a temporary replacement for Solskjaer until the end of the season, after which he would be promoted to a consultancy role for two years.
While Mauricio Pochettinho and Erik ten Hag are being deemed as the leading candidate for the coveted position, it doesn’t seem like United have any favourites so far.
Besides finding a permanent manager, Manchester United might also be looking for somebody to run the football side of their club, a position currently held by John Murtough.
On Thursday, the cameras spotted the United manager sitting with AS Monaco’s sporting director Paul Mitchell during the quarter-final of the FA Youth Cup at Old Trafford.
Ralf Rangnick and AS Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell at the #FAYouthCup quarter-final tonight pic.twitter.com/n24MCIl09S
— utdreport (@utdreport) February 24, 2022
Mitchell had previously worked with Rangnick during his reign at RB Leipzig and worked closely with Mauricio Pochettinho at Southampton and Tottenham.
United fans questioned about the 40-year-old’s attendance in the stadium, as others were left rubbing their hands for what might be a great move ahead.
The recent happenings at Manchester United (Paul Mitchell mainly) shows who the next manager could be right in front of our eyes
— AV (@RangnickTime) February 25, 2022
According to some, Mitchell’s previous records suggests that bringing him for some role to re-establish “structure” in the club would be an ideal move.
A remarkable appointment, it would be, if Manchester United appoint Paul Mitchell as deputy director of football, a very strong, world-class football structure would finally be in place at #mufc. pic.twitter.com/5HrvLqyjwx
— UtdFilter™ (@UtdFilter) February 24, 2022
While Mitchell’s move to United as a Director of Football would be an admirable choice, United fans still doubt that it would be enough to bring in Pochettinho, given that their relationship tattered during their Tottenham days.
If Paul Mitchell joins us, I think it’s a case of Rangnick wanting him and getting him, not tying in with Pochettino
— Mase (@Utd_Mas) February 25, 2022
The club, however, has denied any rumours and clarified that Mitchell is only in Manchester to “see his family,” with many fans agreeing to this notion.
I’d love Paul Mitchell to be apart if our structure but I don’t see it, he’s the Sporting Director of Monaco, would he come here to be a deputy to a DoF?
— Mase (@Utd_Mas) February 24, 2022
He also was born in Manchester so I assume his family does live there, so that report is true
Ralf Rangnick has done a pretty solid job, if not anything spectacular, at Old Trafford, and Paul Mitchell as a helping hand would only help the club shine in the near future.
Yet it seems likely that United will continue to pursue Pochettino or Ten Hag until the end of the season.