The 9 Players Ralf Rangnick Recommended to Manchester United

Not many Manchester United supporters will look back at Ralf Rangnick’s time at the helm fondly, though he did all he could to set the club up for a more prominent future. The 67-year-old German, who is currently in charge of the Austrian national team and was also strongly linked with the Bayern Munich job in 2024, was appointed the Red Devils’ manager on an interim basis in November 2021 – but ultimately failed to prove his worth.

He was poised to remain at the club in a consultancy role to support Erik ten Hag in his inaugural season in England, but upped and left soon after the Dutchman’s arrival. Rangnick, who has registered the worst points-per-game ratio of all managers to have attempted to steady the ship after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement (with the exception of Ruben Amorim), took charge of all recruitment-based decisions at RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg but failed to stamp his authority in Manchester in the same regard.

There were, however, a flurry of names that he recommended to the club during his short association, though none of them came to fruition. “Open-heart surgery” is what Rangnick claimed the squad needed during his final weeks at the club, as he made it clear that significant changes were required – and some time down the line, it’s evidently clear that the same issues are still embroiled at Old Trafford.

According to the Daily Mail, there were several names discussed as potential signings by Rangnick, including Manchester City duo Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland. But that’s not where the list ends. Some have made alternative high-profile moves, and some are still waiting to be snapped up. Let’s take a look at what they’re all up to now.

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1

Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea signed Argentine midfielder for £106.8m

Before his Chelsea teammate Moises Caicedo broke the record, Enzo Fernandez signed for the west Londoners for a then-British record £106.8 million fee. The 24-year-old played a limited number of games for Benfica before making the move to England and has shown glimpses of his world-class qualities during his time at Stamford Bridge.

On the international stage, Fernandez was a key part of Lionel Scaloni’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad – even if it was Lionel Messi who deservedly dominated the headlines during and after the tournament in Qatar. Even prior to that, though, United were reportedly keeping a close eye on the midfielder while he was at River Plate. However, it’s understood that the club were waiting for incoming manager Erik ten Hag to give the green light before signing him. The saving grace is that his arrival may have stunted the development of England’s Kobbie Mainoo, who has shown that he has the potential to become a top player for club and country – even if things haven’t gone to plan for him under Ruben Amorim.

2

Josko Gvardiol

A Premier League champion at Manchester City

Manchester United’s local rivals Manchester City are the Premier League club that took a calculated punt on the highly-rated defender. Despite his tender age, Josko Gvardiol starred for Croatia during the 2022 World Cup and rightfully earned praise and, in turn, his big-money move.

The 23-year-old was a domineering asset for his previous club, RB Leipzig, playing 87 games during his stint in Germany. After a shaky start to life in England, he has since taken his game to new heights under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola. Given United’s continued issues with Luke Shaw, a left-back of this quality going begging is one they may live to regret.

3

Julian Alvarez

The forward became Manchester City’s club-record sale

Despite playing second-fiddle to Erling Haaland during his Manchester City stint, Julian Alvarez is now widely regarded as one of the world’s best forwards and deservedly so. He caught the eye of various top clubs while playing for River Plate in his native Argentina after notching 85 goal contributions in 122 games and transferred much of that form over to the Etihad Stadium.

Had United acted on Rangnick’s advice, though, Alvarez might have been playing for the red side of Manchester instead. Rangnick was reportedly furious when the club failed to secure the Argentine’s signature before he signed for City. After 36 goals in 103 appearances for the Sky Blues, he completed an £81 million switch to Atletico Madrid, where he managed to score an impressive 29 goals in his first season with the Spanish club.

4

Luis Diaz

Star player at Liverpool, now with Bayern Munich

Luis Diaz’s spell at Liverpool was largely positive, albeit marred ever-so-slightly by inconsistency at times. In his brightest moments, though, the livewire forward was truly electrifying. He haunted the Red Devils on numerous occasions as he has managed five goal contributions in six clashes, with a double coming during the Merseyside club’s 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in September 2024. He made the move to Bayern Munich this summer and has hit the ground running in Germany.

Before becoming Jurgen Klopp’s marquee winter signing in 2022, the dynamic Colombian international was one of FC Porto’s driving forces, scoring 41 goals and registering 19 assists for the Portuguese heavyweights – so it’s no wonder that Rangnick had his eye on him. United’s loss was undoubtedly Liverpool’s gain, as he helped the Reds win a Premier League title.

5

Erling Haaland

Breaking records for fun with Man City

Of all the missed opportunities, this one will sting the most for the Old Trafford faithful. Erling Haaland has been nothing short of extraordinary for Manchester City following his arrival from Borussia Dortmund. United legend Wayne Rooney even described him as the world’s best footballer now that the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era has come to an end.

The goal-machine needed just 105 games to score his first 100 Premier League goals, and his links to Old Trafford go even further back than Rangnick’s desperate plea. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that the domineering forward was a man that the former United boss had told the club to sign long before he took the job in 2018.

6

Konrad Laimer

Now at Bayern Munich

As the 2021-22 season came to a close, it was patently clear that reinforcements in midfield were desperately needed at Old Trafford – hence why Konrad Laimer was eyed. At that time, the versatile midfielder had also caught the attention of Bayern Munich, who he eventually signed for, but Manchester United could have saved themselves money and hassle if they elected to sign him back when Rangnick first recommended the Austrian to the club’s higher-ups.

At Bayern, Laimer is a solid rotational option who would likely settle in well at Old Trafford, much like his former teammate Marcel Sabitzer did during his loan spell. Rangnick did at least get the chance to coach the midfielder, as he is a key part of the Austrian national team.

7

Alvaro Morata

Spanish striker captained his country to Euro 2024 success

Alvaro Morata, 32, is somewhat of a footballing journeyman, having plied his trade for Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea – though he has never quite managed to establish himself as one of Europe’s elite strikers. The Spaniard has scored goals wherever he’s played during his career, although profligacy in some of the biggest fixtures has prevented him from establishing a reputation as a truly world-class forward.

The Spaniard was initially linked with a move to the Theatre of Dreams in 2017, but United opted for Romelu Lukaku instead. In the years since Rangnick’s recommendation, the pressing-forward led Spain to European glory and sealed a move back to Italy, this time to multi-time Champions League winners, AC Milan. He quickly fell out of favour at the Serie A giants, though, and was shipped out on loan to Como at the beginning of the 2025/26 season.

8

Christopher Nkunku

Now at AC Milan

Now on the books at AC Milan, Christopher Nkunku could have become Manchester United’s first signing of the Ten Hag era after being one of RB Leipzig’s most notable stars. The impressive Frenchman had a plethora of big-name clubs vying for his signature as he spearheaded Leipzig to a top-four finish in back-to-back seasons between 2021 and 2023, scoring a respectable total of 70 goals during his time at the club.

Injuries plagued the forward during his ill-fated spell with Chelsea, but he’ll now be determined to resurrect his career in Serie A.

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9

Dusan Vlahovic

Previously linked with Arsenal but still a Juventus player

Imposing centre-forward Dusan Vlahovic, who was tipped to become a star on football’s biggest stages, could have been a Manchester United player had the club been keen to listen more to Rangnick’s transfer advice. Currently plying his trade in Turin for Juventus, the 25-year-old is one of Serie A’s most recognisable forwards, despite struggling to show the same potency as he did during his time at Fiorentina.

Once on Arsenal’s radar, there’s a chance that fans will get to see Vlahovic in the Premier League one day. Will he eventually end up at Manchester United? Now they have Benjamin Sesko, it seems unlikely, but never say never.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt – accurate as of 30/09/2025.