Ralf Rangnick is unconvinced by the idea of keeping the Carabao Cup and believes the competition should be scrapped to ease the burden of fixture congestion in English football.
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted English football again this season, with several matches postponed over the festive period.
Manchester United have seen their last two matches -- against Brentford and Brighton -- postponed due to an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Premier League club.
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Rangnick had only nine United outfield players available for the Brentford match, which was then reduced to only seven for the clash with Brighton.
The United interim manager has insisted that England should follow in the footsteps of countries like France and axe a secondary cup competition like the League Cup.
“You know better than I do what a big tradition it is to play on Boxing Day and the 27th and I think we should stick to this and respect this tradition,” Rangnick said.
“I’m looking forward to that, for the first time in my coaching career, but there could be other issues that have been discussed in the past.
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“England is the only top league [in Europe] that plays two cup competitions. In France they abolished the second one, so we are the only country that plays two cup competitions.
“This is something we could speak about and discuss. The League Cup is still kept for the third and fourth division teams to improve the financial situations of those clubs.
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“But a tight calendar, with too many games, this is something to speak about and discuss.”
United have lifted the League Cup five times in their longstanding history, with Liverpool and Manchester City tied for the most successful clubs in the competition at eight titles apiece.
The Red Devils were dumped out of this season’s Carabao Cup in the third round in September, with Manuel Lanzini sealing a 1-0 win for West Ham at Old Trafford.
Carabao Cup holders City were also knocked out in the round-of-16 stage by the Hammers at the London Stadium.
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Rangnick issued a plea to his United stars who haven’t been double vaccinated to receive their shots in a bid to reduce further coronavirus symptoms in the future.
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“The Premier League will try everything to keep the league safe and the situation around the players safe,” he said.
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“We have to encourage players to behave in a disciplined way with regards to contacts, we have to make sure the record of vaccination players is high at our club.
“Even if you are vaccinated, you can catch it, but you are protected from severe symptoms and most of our players who tested positive had very, very weak symptoms and didn't suffer.”
United will resume their Premier League campaign on Monday when they travel to St. James' Park for their clash with Newcastle.
Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports/PATopics: Ralf Rangnick, Premier League, England, Manchester United, Football, Carabao Cup
