Ralf Rangnick's interim reign at the helm of Manchester United was structured with the intention of the German steadying the ship and leaving his post with the club in a better position for his contribution.
Instead, there are likely to be more questions than answers as the former RB Leipzig boss has seemingly struggled to get to grips with the culture inside the club. There has undeniably been a hangover from the previous regime that has marred certain aspects of the tail-end of the season.
When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in late November of last year, his assistant Michael Carrick briefly took charge of the following three games before announcing he would also depart. The same cannot be said for Darren Fletcher, who remains at United in the same role he was granted while Solskjaer was at the helm.
The Scot's official title is Technical Director, a position most fans would commonly associate with the suits upstairs. But instead of brokering transfer deals in the boardroom, Fletcher can most often be found in the dugout alongside Rangnick.
This appears to have been creating some issues as the season has gone on. Fletcher first started to sit with the immediate coaching staff while Solskjaer was still at the helm and has continued to do so long after the Norwegian has gone.
According to The Telegraph, this is starting to become an issue in the eyes of Rangnick who is thought to have been left surprised by just how involved Fletcher is when it comes to the training of the first-team squad. United's interim boss was left stunned when the former Red Devils midfielder actually took part in training when the side has been a player short.
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Rangnick has even taken issue with Fletcher issuing tactical instructions from the bench while games are going on and requested that he stop. It would be disingenuous to suggest that is the sole reason for Rangnick's clear issue with Fletcher however, as technical directors can often be found on the bench with coaching staff in German football.
Part of the breakdown in the relationship is rumoured to have come from the fact Fletcher is a key figure in United's pursuit of a new permanent manager. The Red Devils are reportedly on the cusp of sealing a move for Erik ten Hag to become the new boss on a full-time basis.
Given that is a role Rangnick would have been keen on himself, the former Lokomotiv Moscow sporting director clearly feels uncomfortable with having someone who doesn't view him as fit for the job full-time alongside him in the dugout.
