Ralf Rangnick blocked Man Utd from selling one player during his time as manager but they didn't listen

Ralf Rangnick blocked Manchester United from selling ONE player during his time at the club but they didn't listen following his departure.

Rangnick took charge of Man United on an interim basis for the second half of the 2021/22 season following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal.

He famously said the club needed 'open-heart surgery' and claimed Liverpool were 'six years ahead' of the Red Devils after their crushing 4-0 defeat at Anfield.

Rangnick also provided recommendations to the board, which included Erling Haaland and Christopher Nkunku.

And he stopped Anthony Elanga from leaving Man United on loan, saying he watched YouTube highlights of the winger during his first week as manager.

Elanga impressed Rangnick, who said: "I must say from the very first day from my first training session, he showed up

"l had heard his name before and I was in my hotel room watching videos of him on YouTube, I thought this boy was really good.

"He was almost on his way out on loan, I told him you will not go out on loan, you will say here. He has developed in training."

However, the Swede, 22, was sold one year later as he joined Nottingham Forest, where he has starred.

He scored five goals in 36 league games last season and has three goals to his name this season as Forest enjoy a stunning campaign.

Anthony Elanga in action for Nottingham Forest against Manchester United. Image: Getty

Speaking before the game against Liverpool, Elanga revealed: "At Man United I felt like I was playing for the sake of playing.

"I want to find ways to learn and improve and coming to a different team, a different type of status and stuff allowed me to properly find ways to improve.

"I feel like here is a really, really big family club that everyone is really together, I’m not saying we weren’t together at United, but I’m saying here we’re really, really together and it’s showing on the pitch aswell."

Elanga made 55 appearances across all competitions for Man United before securing a move away from Old Trafford.