Rangnick comments on Martial's Man Utd future amid exit talk
Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick and players within the squad rated Kieran McKenna before his exit from Old Trafford, according to reports. The 35-year-old departed the Premier League giants in the week to take charge of League One side Ipswich Town. Yet while the young coach attracted criticism during his time working under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, some within the club are saddened at his decision to walk away.
McKenna first made his name at Tottenham, impressing behind the scenes in north London before moving to Old Trafford to work under Jose Mourinho.
When Mourinho lost his job in December 2018, he was kept on by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and given more of a senior role within the Norweigan’s coaching set-up.
Often, when results went awry, McKenna would find himself in the firing line.
Many blamed Solskjaer’s coaches for the regular defeats they experienced, especially towards the end of the 48-year-old’s time in the dugout.
However, The Athletic say McKenna made a ‘strong impression’ on Rangnick during their brief few weeks working together.
Man Utd news: Kieran McKenna made a 'strong impression' on Ralf Rangnick (Image: GETTY)
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Man Utd news: Kieran McKenna was liked by players while working under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Image: GETTY)
Ipswich caretaker boss John McGreal, meanwhile, has expressed a belief the former United and Tottenham coach will be a good fit for the team.
"He'll be coming with fresh ideas to get us on that right track to where we want to get to,” he said recently.
"You only have to look at his track record, the players he's integrated into the first team, the players he's actually coached, the managers he's coached under, it's a quality CV and a big appointment by the club and shows what direction it's going (in).
"I congratulated him and he's really looking forward to it and why wouldn't he be?
“It's Ipswich Town, it's his first managerial job and it's a great job to pick up and run with.
Man Utd news: Kieran McKenna will now take charge of Ipswich Town (Image: GETTY)
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"Kieran will have done his background, he'll know what direction he wants to go with the club, he'll know all these individuals, he'll be well prepped, he'll have done all his homework."
Rangnick’s United are due to face Newcastle on December 27.
However, with coronavirus cases stacking up by the day, it’s possible the match will be postponed.
The Premier League are poised to talk with key figures within the game about putting the schedule on hold for a brief time.
And Prime Minister Boris Johnson could introduce restrictions again to try and prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.