Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has moved to clarify divisive comments he made about the impending Manchester United rebuild and comparing it to open-heart surgery. Rangnick will take charge of the final four games this season before handing over the reigns to incoming successor Erik ten Hag.
Change is on the horizon at Old Trafford and Rangnick himself will play a part there. Indeed, the German is ready to move into an advisory position he will operate in alongside coaching the Austria national team. Two leading scouts are on their way, meanwhile, as transfer negotiator Matt Judge has also tendered his resignation.
Judge and the others are set to follow executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward out the door. It means United could embrace a fresh outlook when it comes to the market and, speaking previously, Rangnick compared their rebuild to open-heart surgery. Those full-on words drew a mixed response at the time.
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United great turned Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was among the notable figures to come out to ledger support for Rangnick in response, although not all reaction took on the same stance. So how does the German himself look back on that assessment?
During an interview with Sky Sports, Rangnick said: "No matter which club, it's always necessary and important that you need an idea. You need to know how you want to play, what kind of profiles do we need. If you do not do that, you're always looking for the needle in the haystack. This is what I meant when I said open-heart surgery.
"I don't think it's enough to do some minor corrections and amendments. I think it's important to see the big picture and then hopefully bring in the best possible players."
Rangnick added: "They should also fit together - this is also an issue - it's not only about bringing some players for defence, midfield and up front. It's also important you get to know the personality of the players and they really fit and are able to meet standards of this big club."
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