In this week's instalment of "unrest at Manchester United", reports have emerged that senior players at the club are growing tired of Ralf Rangnick and his coaching staff over their training methods.
ESPN reported on Friday morning that some players have even taken to calling Rangnick's assistant Chris Armas "Ted Lasso" - after the titular character from the award-winning sitcom.
Yet more discontent among Manchester United squad
It has been a stuttering start for Ralf Rangnick as Manchester United manager. Though performances have improved, they still lack the crucial end product in games such as Tuesday's frustrating 1-1 draw at Burnley.
Cristiano Ronaldo has cut a dejected figure in recent weeks, storming off the pitch on Tuesday and during last month's win at Brentford, while captain Harry Maguire is among those continuing to struggle for form.
New reports on Friday morning suggest that all is not well behind the scenes, with ESPN suggesting that players are growing tired of Rangnick's training methods.
Rangnick is understood to regularly delegate training sessions to his assistant Chris Armas. That alone shouldn't be too much of a shock to United's players - previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was known to do the same with his assistants.
However, it would appear Armas is the issue for United's players. The American had never coached outside of North America before arriving in Manchester alongside Ralf Rangnick and, for that reason, the Manchester United squad have nicknamed him "Ted Lasso".
The Apple+ series Ted Lasso focuses on a mildly inept American football coach (played by Jason Sudeikis) who is brought to England to manage a fictional Premier League side - not exactly the most glowing endorsement of Armas' coaching ability from the United squad.
Man United’s players are frustrated with Ralf Rangnick’s squad selection methods, with some believing his training sessions are “old fashioned”.
Players have also jokingly likened assistant Chris Armas to fictional football coach Ted Lasso, sources have told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/EArcFwJKK7— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 11, 2022
ESPN also report that Rangnick's move away from short drills and towards 11v11 games has not gone down well with the squad, who feel that the previous regime kept them sharp for upcoming games.
The criticism seems strange from the Manchester United squad. Though much has yet to change under Ralf Rangnick, the intensity from the players on the pitch has at least improved, suggesting that Rangnick's drills are working to keep players sharp.
ESPN's report is the latest in a string of unpleasant rumours for United, with reports emerging last month that the squad's younger players were growing tired of Ronaldo, and new rumours emerging on an almost weekly basis of a new facet of life at Old Trafford that the players find unsatisfactory.
Manchester United's next game is against Southampton on Saturday - that is, if they survive their next training session with "Ted Lasso".
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