Ralf Rangnick might only have six games left in charge of Manchester United, but he has fired a brutal warning to the players that he has in his squad regarding their futures.
The Red Devils will go up against Liverpool on Tuesday night before having to play Arsenal and Chelsea in quick succession in their next three games; matches that are likely going to tell us whether the club will be playing in the UEFA Champions League next year or not.
Indeed, with those games next, it would not be a surprise if many of the Manchester United fans thought that they would have better luck in trying to win over £1 billion playing Powerball rather than seeing the team that they support playing in Europe’s elite competition next season, even with Erik ten Hag thought to be the incoming manager.
With Ten Hag thought to be coming into Old Trafford, it would not be a surprise if we were to see a host of changes at the club, and Rangnick – who is expected to take on a consultancy role once the season ends – has fired warnings to the group of players he already has.
In an interview with Sky Sports, he said: “I think apart from the goalkeeping, we need to make sure that we improve the squad in all areas.
“To bring in players who really help the team to get better – again, it’s about the profile.
“There might be a couple of players – and I have already named those players to the board – that independent from formation, from style of football, and independent from a new manager, that could be of interest for a club like United.
“But in general, if you look at the size of the way the team needs to be rebuilt, I mean, it’s not enough to bring in three or four new players.
“It will be more, bearing in mind how many players will no longer be here with the contracts running out.”
He did also allude to David De Gea’s position as the club’s goalkeeper, although admitted that the Spaniard had impressed him during his time but mentioned how the other top Premier League clubs are using their shot-stoppers as additional outfield players.
Interestingly, it also appears that he has already made recommendations on players that he believes could help Manchester United in the future, although no names have been mentioned.
With it known that Edinson Cavani and Nemanja Matic are set to leave on a free, whilst there are thoughts that Paul Pogba and Juan Mata could also follow, it is claimed Ten Hag could look to bring Ajax’s Brazilian winger Antony with him to Manchester, whilst RB Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku is also said to be of interest.
In order to get those players, though, the Red Devils might have to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
