Ralf Rangnick reveals 90-minute phone conversation with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has revealed he had a lengthy phone call with freshly sacked head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before taking the job.

Rangnick was confirmed as United's temporary boss on Monday after Solskjaer was relieved of his duties eight days earlier following humiliating heavy defeats to rivals Liverpool and Man City and lowly Watford.

Michael Carrick was put in caretaker charge of the side for the previous three games and went unbeaten, although he has since left the club too following Rangnick's arrival.

Although work permit issues meant the 63-year-old was unable to be on the touchline for Man Utd's home victory over Arsenal on Thursday night, he will be in the dugout for the visit of Crystal Palace on Sunday.

In his first press conference since taking charge, the German revealed he had had a 90-minute phone conversation with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer while he was in the process of succeeding him at Old Trafford, as well as talks with club owner Joel Glazer, technical director John Murtough and CEO Ed Woodward.

"We haven’t spoken about that in detail in all the conversations we had with John [Murtough] and also with Ed [Woodward]. But especially with John.

"I also had a long phone call with Joel Glazer for more than half an hour. I also spoke with Ole last Sunday before the Chelsea game for almost two hours. He was very generous to spend one-and-a-half hours on the phone with me, telling me his insight and details about the team."

Rangnick has joined United on a six-month contract until the end of the season, although he will assume a consultancy role for two further years thereafter. The plan is for him to help with the appointment of a permanent manager ahead of the 2022/23 season, although the coach has not ruled out recommending himself.

"But, as I said, with all those people we haven’t spoken about what will happen in the next two years from next summer until summer 2024," he continued. "We only spoke about the current situation and how we can find a way to work together.

“The people with whom I’ve spoken have been very clear that it is a six-month role as manager. Maybe if they ask my opinion I will make the same recommendation that I did at Leipzig that I continue as coach, but this is all hypothetical.”