Manchester United’s interim coach Ralf Rangnick wants Edinson Cavani and Donny van de Beek to remain in his ranks in the second half of the season and spoke out against selling the two crowd favourites in the winter. The situation with Anthony Martial, on the other hand, is different.
Edinson Cavani and Donny van de Beek will continue to wear the Manchester United jersey after the January transfer period. At least if interim coach Ralf Rangnick has his way – and at least until the end of the season. Ahead of the Red Devils’ first game of the new year against Wolverhampton on Monday, the coach made the case for the two crowd favourites to stay on.
Cavani continues to storm in red
“We’ve had quite a few conversations over the last few weeks and he’s probably the player I’ve spoken to the most,” Rangnick said of his dealings with Uruguayan Cavani, who flirted with a return to South America last summer before signing a new one-year contract with the English record champions. Most recently, the 34-year-old (19 goals in 49 competitive appearances for Man United) was even linked with a move to Barcelona.
I would love to have another Edi.
A transfer is off the table this winter, though, according to Rangnick: “He knows I won’t let him go.” The striker is a player who “I value and respect very much” and who is “very important this season”. “I would love to have another Edi,” said the German, who is still unbeaten in the Premier League since taking charge (three wins, one draw).
More chances for van de Beek – Martial about to jump
Whether Rangnick also needs a second van de Beek seems at least questionable. The Dutchman, who had remained only a marginal note under former coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since his move in the summer of 2020, also spent the last two league games completely on the bench under the ex-Leipzig coach. Nevertheless, “I still think we should keep him,” Rangnick clarified, “and he should stay here – definitely until the end of the season – and try to get as much playing time as he can.” In any case, the “team player” van de Beek will get his chances.
It is unlikely, however, that he will be on the pitch with Anthony Martial in the process. The Frenchman, whose wish to leave had already been clearly communicated by Rangnick, was not even in the squad in the last five games. “It had nothing to do with injuries,” the 63-year-old coach explained tellingly. Most recently, a loan to Sevilla FC was on the cards.
