Paul Scholes ‘baffled’ by Man Utd’s Ralf Rangnick appointment after derby embarrassment

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has slammed the club for their appointment of Ralf Rangnick, admitting he was ‘baffled’ by the German taking interim charge.

Rangnick was hired on a short-term basis in December with a view of moving into a consultancy role at the end of the season.

However, the decision to appoint Rangnick is something that ‘baffles’ Scholes, with the former midfielder not convinced by the 63-year-old’s CV.

"What do we expect? We’ve brought in an interim coach who hasn’t coached at an elite team," Scholes told Premier League Productions, after United’s 4-1 loss to Manchester City on Sunday.

"He hasn’t coached a big team, he hasn’t coached at a big football club like United where there’s so much expected of Manchester United. Whoever you’re playing against, it doesn’t matter.

"He’s never been at a top club. He’s coached a club for two years out of the last 10 years. How have United behind the scenes come to the conclusion that this man is going to be the right man for seven months? It baffles me.”

United’s loss at the Etihad has resulted in much criticism from fans and pundits., withe the second-half showing particularly poor.

Rangnick’s substitutions in recent games have turned the tide for United, bringing a fresh burst of energy to the team. However, this wasn’t the case against the Sky Blues, with Scholes thinking the German’s players looked ‘deflated’.

"The players are lost on the football pitch. The first 20 minutes I was actually surprised they played really well, they were comfortable on the ball, [Paul] Pogba up front looked alright.

"His [Rangnick’s] subs have worked the last few weeks, don’t get me wrong, but it was a deflated team.

"As much as you can have a go at Man United today, they’re playing against possibly one of the best teams we’ve seen."

David De Gea was arguably United’s man of the match, despite conceding four goals. The Spanish shot-stopper made several great saves to prevent the score being significantly worse.

Scholes emphasised that Rangnick is ‘kidding himself’ if he thinks he’s been able to sort out the Red Devils’ leaky defence.

He added: "They’re lucky it’s not five or six. Again the goalkeeper, five or six saves.

"You spoke before the game saying defensively since Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] has gone he’s sured things up - he hadn’t. Never in a million years. He’s kidding himself if he thinks that.

"The keeper has stopped him from getting batterings for a long time. Today was exactly the same."