Man Utd star Fred slams club hierarchy over Ralf Rangnick decision | Soccer | sport
Manchester United midfielder Fred has criticized the club for having no long-term plans with players still unsure who could take over next season. In an extensive interview to be aired on TNT Sports Brazil, the United midfielder admitted uncertainty over the next manager was hampering progress.
Asked about the decision to appoint Ralf Rangnick on a temporary basis until the end of the season, Fred said: “It’s a bit strange.
“I know that in football it’s important to get good results as soon as possible, but it’s also important to have a long-term plan.
“I think it’s a bit of a shame for us not to have any, at the moment it’s all about short-term goals.
“We don’t know how it will be after the end of this season. Every player who comes to this club wants to win titles and that’s the same for me.
“It’s about having better football planning at the club.”
Rangnick faces perhaps the biggest game of his tenure against Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital tonight in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg.
And Fred admitted that while United may not be firing on all cylinders on or off the pitch, they still believe they could finish the season with silverware.
“Is it crazy to imagine United winning the Champions League? I do not think so. I know we’re not playing our best football, but we have a lot of quality names in our squad,” he added.
“I also see a lot of other teams playing away from their best level. It wouldn’t be crazy to win it, it could happen.
“But we have to work our socks off because we are far from one of the favourites.”
Fred also encountered rumors of the dressing room splitting their heads insisting the team was united and calling clique suggestions ‘nonsense’.
“We have to improve our game, but it’s not related to the dressing room,” he said.
“People say Cristiano did this, other players did that, it’s nonsense. Our main goal as a group of players is to be united to achieve better performance and better results.
“I’m closer to Alex (Telles), so of course I’ll chat with him most of the time, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be with the English players.
“In the dressing room I’m sitting next to Rashford and we have a great relationship. We have a united team.
Fred has arguably been in his best form in a United shirt of late and is looking forward to battle in Spain tonight.
With Diego Simeone’s side having lost six of their last 11 La Liga games and taking just 13 points from a possible 33 since the start of December, the timing could be perfect.
“Even when they’re not playing well, Atletico Madrid are a tough team to beat,” Fred said.
“Their manager is Argentinian so they are warriors, they defend very well, they like to fight a bit on the pitch and play collectively as a unit.
“It’s a game for players who have balls – forgive my French. They’re the most South American team in the Champions League.