Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has called for Ralf Rangnick to shift the “dead wood” in his side during the January transfer window.
United could be set for a busy month as the New Year approaches, with Rangnick looking to make additions to his squad after arriving as interim manager.
The German has made a promising start at Old Trafford, having won his first game against Crystal Palace before leading a much younger side to a 1-1 draw against Young Boys in the Champions League.
Despite an encouraging showing against Palace, there was still room for improvement, and an indication that reinforcements are needed if United are going to finish in the top four this season.
And Parker believes Rangnick not only needs some new faces, but needs to move on some of the squad already in place.
“It all starts now. We will see what happens next,” Parker said in his column for Eurosport.
“Rangnick doesn’t change from his system, but has he got the personnel to play that way? I don’t think he does. He hasn’t got the personnel there that will make sure that Manchester United qualify for the Champions League.
“He will think that he needs to add something to make it better. There have to be changes in January. There is still too much dead wood there.
“The middle of midfield is still a problem. As much as you can change the style, if you make it too attacking, the midfield is still going to be an issue, unless they can improve drastically.
“I think he will also be looking at his full-backs and his front line heading into January. At right-back, Diogo Dalot has done alright.
“He is capable and better in the final third than Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and able to get more crosses in to the box. I still believe he is going to want to improve that position, if not this season then next season, certainly.”
Parker also called for Rangnick to give Mason Greenwood the nod over Marcus Rashford, with the England international having struggled for form so far this season.
Greenwood put forward his case with a superb finish to give United the lead over Young Boys on Wednesday, having been named on the bench for Rangnick’s first game in charge a few days’ earlier.
“If he (Rangnick) wants to play his system, he can’t continue to pick Marcus Rashford, either,” Parker said.
“I think he has got to look at Mason Greenwood more - he is someone who can play wide and centrally. Greenwood needs a run of games otherwise he will start getting disillusioned.”
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