MANCHESTER UNITED BOSS Ralf Rangnick has echoed Jurgen Klopp’s concern over signing players not vaccinated against coronavirus.
The interim manager has also confirmed that striker Anthony Martial wants to leave to club.
Liverpool manager Klopp has been outspoken on the issue of vaccines, insisting players should get jabbed amid the rise of Premier League coronavirus cases caused by the Omicron variant.
Klopp has said he would think twice about signing unvaccinated players and fellow German Rangnick has now reiterated those worries and its potential impact on any United dealings during the January transfer window.
“I think it could be a consideration and I fully understand what Jurgen said,” Rangnick stated as United prepare to end an enforced 16-day coronavirus break at Newcastle on Monday.
“This is an issue the clubs seriously have to think about.
“If you sign a player knowing from the very first day that he has not been vaccinated, you have to be aware he might not be available.
“Not only for 10 days, but this could happen regularly in Covid times.”
Rangnick cited the absence of Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich as evidence that unvaccinated players should be jabbed as soon as possible.
The Germany international, who said in October he was not vaccinated against Covid-19, suffered a lung problem following coronavirus infection and has been ruled out until the new year.
“You had the example of Joshua Kimmich, who was extremely hesitant at the beginning and I think in the meantime he has realised it might be a good idea to get vaccinated,” Rangnick said.
“He caught Covid and still has some problems with his lungs.
“I think this is an issue where of course everybody can, and should have, his free will but in football, especially at this level we are playing at, we need to try to convince our players to get vaccinated.
“As I said it may not just happen once, it could happen several times in the future and therefore it should also be in the interest of players to be vaccinated.
“But in the end it’s a decision that each club has to take by themselves and find the best possible solution.”
United last played on 11 December, a 1-0 win at Norwich which saw Rangnick claim a second successive league win since taking charge at Old Trafford.
The former RB Leipzig and Schalke boss is confident United can carry on where they left off despite having to close their Carrington training base for four days due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“We did a lot of work in between preparing video footage, and we have started to show this to the players from Tuesday,” said Rangnick, who is only without injured midfield Paul Pogba at Newcastle.
“Physically they look good. The energy level was high at training, all the players were fully engaged and everybody was on board.
“So I’m not worried about the physical state the team is in, they seem to be extremely fit.
“It’s also important for each game to have all the players not only available but in the best possible physical state. It could also happen that we rotate from one game to next, especially when you play every three days.
“It will not be so easy to decide not only on the first XI but also the eight players on the bench.”
Rangnick has confirmed newly-appointed assistant coaches Chris Armas and Ewan Sharp and sports psychologist Sascha Lense are contracted until the end of the season.
He added those deals could be extended depending on “what might happen in the summer” over the managerial situation.
Meanwhile, Anthony Martial has told United he wants to leave the club.
The France forward has become a fringe figure at Old Trafford, making just two Premier League starts this season and only four in all competitions.
“We spoke at length on Wednesday,” said Rangnick, revealing the 26-year-old’s desire to quit Old Trafford.
“He explained to me he’s been at Manchester United now for the last seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else.
“I think in a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.
“We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions and want to be as successful as we can be.”
Martial became the world’s most expensive teenage footballer when United signed him from Monaco in September 2015.
Rangnick confirmed there has been no interest in Martial ahead of the January transfer window and he could stay at United.
He said: “I told him listen, as long as there is no club showing interest in him, and it should not only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club.
“So far, as far as I know, there has been no offer from any other club and as long as this is the case he will stay.”
A repeat of the other week would be nice
@Hon Tipp: a repeat of the two matches in the semi from ten years ago would be better!
This being a two legged affair is ridiculous, should suit the pool that their two closest rivals have a couple of more games to contend with in January. Having said that I’m looking forward to the ties,, should be good. :)
@Devilsavocado: United are no rivals of Liverpool anymore my friend…!!
@Devilsavocado: just balances things out nicely with Liverpool having the 2 extra games now this week
@Devilsavocado: extra games in the same country are definitely better than extra games in a short time, thousands of miles away.
@Devilsavocado: I mistook that as their two closest rivals being Man. City and Man Utd……..long way back for the prawn sangers brigade.
Great chance for Leicester to win a cup
Extra games for City and Leicester …..Liverpool enjoying a break from the winter cold….trophy up for grabs Saturday…..Win Win.