Erik ten Hag has not picked up the phone to call Ralf Rangnick since he was appointed as Manchester United manager.
The Dutchman will arrive at the club in the summer to replace Rangnick who will move into a consultancy role, as well taking the Austria job, after his spell as interim manager.
Ten Hag still has to see out the season with Ajax but he has a major rebuild on his hands at United and club chiefs have started planning for his arrival with movement in the hierarchy, as well as targeting new players.
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Rangnick’s decision to juggle his position at United with the Austria job has been scrutinised which has thrown doubt over how much influence the German will have at the club.
And United have distanced itself from Rangnick and it appears Ten Hag has followed suit as he hasn’t picked up the phone to call him despite having his number.
Rangnick said: “I’m pretty sure he’s got my phone number! He’s got another couple of games to play with Ajax, we have another three games to play here. Whenever he wants to speak with me and exchange our opinions, I’m more than happy to do that.
“Knowing Erik [ten Hag] will be the manager, with a good recruitment process and bringing in the right players, I’m very positive the supporters and the media will be able to see a better team and, at the end, hopefully, a better position in the league.”
Martin Keown says Rangnick’s decision to take charge of Austria while staying at Old Trafford feels like a “pantomime”.
The former Arsenal defender said on BBC’s Football Focus: “He’s the Manchester United manager, why are they even making that announcement now, the whole thing is a pantomime. It just hasn’t worked. The sooner the new manager comes in, the better.”
Dion Dublin was also in agreement with Keown and has told the Red devils to cut ties with Rangnick as he doesn’t see the arrangement working out.
He added: “I don’t think it is going to work. I really don’t see how it is. An international manager working at Manchester United. He’s come in and it hasn’t worked for him, it’s not been great. There are still issues in the dressing room.
“The individual performances haven’t been good enough at Manchester United, they can’t get a run of games together. Sever your ties, you gave it a go, thank you very much and let him go. I don’t think you need anything that didn’t work still there.”
