Sky Sports News has been told that the role of the consultant is not intended to be very hands-on.
The design of the interim manager's future position comes into effect on June 1 and no meetings have taken place yet.
The decision to put strategic planning on hold was taken by the United hierarchy.
The basics of the agreement, like where the German would be based, have not been made.
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Richard Arnold, United's chief executive officer who has been described as a contrast to Ed Woodward as he is more collaborative and grants greater responsibility to staff, was open to the idea of recruiting Rangnick in a dual-purpose capacity.
Arnold is invested in widening the brains trust at the club and is keen to have Rangnick's knowledge on tap until 2024.
His core expertise - implementing sustainable, successful methodology - has gone unused.
The team had lost five out of their last seven games, as well as a lack of time due to a busy schedule, when he was appointed.
The idea that a loose version of a sporting director could be used to help John Murtough and the rest of the team is not likely to happen.
Sources say his role will be centered around sharing insights on innovation, scouting and linking the club with bright football minds rather than fundamentally altering their set-up.
consultancy suggests separation and independence.
United are going to rely on the in-depth knowledge of the squad and what is required to build a strong collective for a progressive on-pitch identity.
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The temporary tenure of the 63-year-old has been coloured by some unsavoury leaks despite his significant improvements to the team's underlying metrics.
United have a pretty good idea of where the briefings are coming from and want to eliminate a self-serving culture.
It is appreciated that Rangnick has not offered any counter-leaks, opting for honesty during his media commitments.
The analysis the interim manager provides on the squad will stretch well beyond the tactical and technical to drill down into how United can improve recruitment.
He is not heavily involved in the decision-making process over the permanent manager.
What has been asked of him is to concentrate on coaching.
One source described it as "media talk not reality", as United distanced themselves from coverage suggesting they are circling around Thomas Tuchel.
The reigning European Cup-winning manager is not on the four-man list to take charge of the club.
United are aware that the opening move for a new ownership group at Stamford Bridge will be to keep Tuchel.
The 48-year-old has displayed the opposite of a desire to leave the club, navigating difficult circumstances with aplomb and showing his happiness despite the upheaval.
The Spain boss is the most complex situation to navigate given the World Cup in December, as Mauricio Pochettino, Julen Lopetegui, and Luis Enrique are the options being considered by United.
The club want a manager in situ ahead of the new season, but there are suggestions that a pre-agreement could be struck by the end of this month.
Multiple sources have admitted that they would be surprised if Ten Hag or Pochettino were not at the helm.
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There is a difference of opinion between the pair. The Argentine would not need to adjust to the league, a club of such scale, or even have to face his wits against the other team.
While on severely restricted resources at Spurs, he stacked up well to the other two teams and is seen as the concrete choice to rival Manchester City,Liverpool and Tuchel.
His work at Spurs, Saints and Espanyol have received more attention than his work at Paris Saint-Germain, where the problem has not been the manager but the success of Carlo Ancelotti, Unai Emery and Tuchel.
The Overmars scandal has made it easier for United to get Ten Hag.
There are still questions over how he would function in a completely different structure and at a club of the size, stature and constant attention as United.
In an ideal world, the club would be able to get a new manager this summer, but there is a realization that he would not swap the club for another one.
He is more likely to take the City job when the other two leave.
Unless there is a massive change in circumstance and a top manager that fits the long-term direction suddenly becomes available, United's new permanent manager will be derived from the four-man shortlist.
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