Ralf Rangnick’s clash with Jurgen Klopp could lead to potential transfer problem

Ralf Rangnick’s transfer dealings with be key if Manchester United are to be a success under him but the similarities in styles with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool could lead to a clash in the market

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Rangnick insists Man Utd players are adapting to his methodsx

Ralf Rangnick arrived in England renowned for a style that has inspired the likes of Jurgen Klopp.

The Manchester United interim boss has found implementing his ideas harder than he perhaps envisaged, however.

United continue to produce lacklustre performances, even if results have generally improved since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking.

Klopp too endured an inconsistent start to his tenure at Anfield, although his methods were quickly evident.

Liverpool’s early problem under him was consistency but wins over the likes of Manchester City showed glimpses of what was to come.

United have yet to produce a performance that highlights exactly what Rangnick is trying to do, with the possible exception of their opening 45 minutes against Crystal Palace in what was the German’s first game.

This month’s transfer window now provides the Red Devils with the chance to bolster their ranks.

Have Your Say! Do Man Utd need to make some signings in January? Tell us your prediction here.

It will also allow Rangnick to begin shaping his squad as he deals with the group assembled by several previous regimes.

The interim boss has a reputation for shrewd recruitment having unearthed some of the world’s top players, including Erling Haaland and Sadio Mane during his time with the Red Bull group.

Any new arrivals at Old Trafford are likely to compliment the methods Rangnick wants to employ.

The 63-year-old has remained loyal to his principles and is set to stick by them at Old Trafford, despite early problems in doing so.

Rangnick’s previous sides have played in a way that is similar to Liverpool, something he himself admits.

As a result, any players they pursue are likely to suit Klopp and his Reds outfit which could lead to some heated transfer battles.

The likes of Kalvin Phillips and Porto’s Luis Diaz have both been linked with United and Liverpool recently.

Liverpool are currently benefitting from players Rangnick has signed in the past – and if he goes for the same type of player the pair could be battling off the pitch as well as on it.

“The style is very similar to Jurgen’s,” Rangnick told Sky Sports about his two Red Bull clubs back in 2019.

“It’s proactive, it’s high pressing, counter-pressing. Once we have won the ball we don’t want to waste any time by square passes or back passes.

“We are trying to play forward as quickly as possible, trying to create chances, trying to score as many goals as possible.”

“It’s definitely no coincidence that [Klopp] has four former players of mine (Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane and Joel Matip) because it shows that he is, in fact, looking for the same kind of players, with the same assets, with the same mentality as we do.

“And, I think, out of the top clubs in Europe, he’s probably the coach with the highest number of former players from us.”

Klopp has provided a blueprint of how to take a side in need of an identity from top four hopefuls to title winners.

He took over a Liverpool side who finished sixth in 2015 and by 2020 had ended a three-decade wait for a title.

Rangnick is currently leading a club without a league triumph since 2013 and any silverware since 2017.

Midfield is thought to be an area that will be addressed imminently at Old Trafford with the likes of Amadou Haidara, Declan Rice and Ruben Neves all linked.