Before taking over as ÖFB boss, Ralf Rangnick took over as interim manager of Manchester United. Between December 2021 and May 2022, he played 29 games for the Premier League club.
Among other things, the German worked with the star Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he did not have the best relationship. In addition to the Portuguese, it seems that there is another player with whom it was not easy.
Phil Jones, who played for the Red Devils for twelve years and is now retired, reports a falling out with Rangnick. This is said to have happened during the match against Liverpool in April 2022. Jones returned to the starting line-up after a long injury lay-off, but his appearance was short-lived.
“You're kidding me!”
In the High Performance Podcast, the former defender says the German replaced him at half-time. At the time, United were 2-0 down. Jones describes the event as follows: “At half-time, Ralph came on and said: ‘I’m going to make a change, Phil’s coming on.’”
According to the Englishman, the entire team reacted with shock to the decision. Then the 32-year-old lost his temper, threw his shoe on the ground and shouted at Rangnick: “You're kidding me!”
Jones felt “insulted” by Rangnick's situation. Although the 27-cap national player did not have his best performance that day, he said it was not bad enough to be substituted.
Jones has had knee problems for a long time.
The fact that Jones had previously had knee problems for a long time added to the pressure. “Especially given my knee history and everything I've been through,” he added.
The former centre-back went one better and said there were “much worse players on the pitch” who should have been taken off. But it was easier to “take the guy who hasn't played for 12 months and make him the scapegoat”.
In the end, United lost the match 4-0.
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