Ralf Rangnick could take over Manchester United only on 11 December due to work visa issues
According to ESPN, Ralf Rangnick will miss multiple games for Manchester United due to a delay in getting a work visa, with the expected date being around mid-December. He was officially announced as the interim manager till the end of the 2021-22 season on Monday.
Rangnick has arrived with high expectations even though he will be at the managerial helm temporarily. He will become a senior football advisor for Man United after this season when a permanent coach will replace him. He will continue as the consultant for two more years, where he would have a say in managing the club.
The German joined Man United after he had left his post of sporting director at Lokomotiv Moscow and is currently in isolation due to Covid-19 regulations. He could attend the game against Arsenal as a spectator if he tests negative for the virus.
Any sign of concern?
However, he may be unavailable to officially be on the touchline until mid-December due to work visa issues. Having last managed a club in 2019, he did not automatically qualify for the United Kingdom work permit due to the lack of experience in a coaching role in recent years.
That has added to the delay with the processes involved in granting a work visa following United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union. As a result, the 63-year-old could have to wait until December 11, when the Manchester club would take on Norwich City.
He could miss the games against Crystal Palace in the Premier League and Young Boys in the Champions League if it happens to be true. However, it is just a formality to go through the processes, and the Red Devils could have a chance to see him in the dugout against Crystal Palace.
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While two games are not much of a deal, nine days is a long time as Rangnick could have implemented his ideas on the squad. Without the work visa, he is not legally allowed to be involved in the training ground activities, which could pose a slight problem.
Time is valuable in this case, and with the club on the edges, we must be efficient from here on out. Man United will face the Gunners next in the league on Thursday. That could provide an opportunity for Rangnick to assess the team closely even if he is watching onf from the stands.
