Ralf Rangnick has steadied the ship since taking charge at Manchester United
Rangnick has helped United climb into the top four in impressive start as boss
United chiefs will now monitor his progress until the end of the season
A top four finish will boost his chances of taking over full time in the summer
Manchester United have reportedly put their search for a new manager on hold after being left impressed with the start Ralf Rangnick has made at the club.
The German took charge on an interim basis late in early December following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a month earlier and has since steadied the ship at Old Trafford.
United have played eight league games under his tenure, winning five and drawing twice while during that period he has also guided them into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Rangnick’s team have also been shored up defensively with four clean sheets from his ten games and only conceding once in all but one of the other matches.
Although United’s performances have not left supporters too excited, he has guided the Red Devils back into contention for a Champions League place next term as the club heads into the winter break fourth in the table.
According to the Sun, he could now be a contender to land the job on a full-time basis, especially if he secures Champions League qualification via the Premier League this term as the club’s board monitor his progress until the end of the season.
Rangnick, who could become boss over the next two years, entered a fractured dressing room and has shown little fear in dealing with some of the club’s stars.
He has not backed away from disputes with Cristiano Ronaldo, warning the star forward over showing his public frustrations having substituted him against Brentford recently.
Rangnick has also been happy to start trimming a bloated squad, allowing fringe forward Anthony Martial to leave for Sevilla, initially on loan, while he has also given his blessing to allow Jesse Lingard to depart Old Trafford.
United have a shortlist of candidates to appoint next summer including Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, Sevilla’s Julen Lopetegui and Spain coach Luis Enrique.
Rangnick only arrived on a deal to take charge until the end of the season before moving to a consultancy role but has admitted interest in landing the job on a permanent basis.
He said: ‘Maybe if they ask my opinion and everything goes well and we develop the team I might even make the same recommendation to the board that I did at Leipzig twice when I recommended it might be a good idea to keep working with me for one year.’
