With four games to go, Manchester United are already looking at next season with a slanted eye. Ralf Rangnick will resign from his duties as interim manager at the end of this season and will become an adviser to United. Erik ten Hag will take over the honors with the English superpower from next season and Rangnick indicates that missing out on European football could be an advantage for the Dutch trainer.
“That is absolutely not true!”, Rangnick responds in a conversation with Sky Sports, when asked whether he has put together a ‘file of shame’ for Ten Hag about the ‘unprofessional’ selection. “The board has not asked me to make a file for them or for Erik. Nor have I criticized the attitude of the players or said to anyone that they are unprofessional. I’ve never noticed that. But of course they are looking for causes of the disappointing results.”
The German has not yet spoken to Ten Hag. “His focus is now on Ajax and winning the title. When he has time, I am available,” the interim manager continued his story. Rangnick is looking forward to working with Ten Hag. “I look forward to helping as a consultant, as much as Erik wants. For me it is important that I can build a new selection together with Erik and the scouting, with quality and mentality. Then Erik and his staff can developing players and taking the club to an era where it should be.”
Where Rangnick fights with his team to end the season as well as possible, the German does indicate that it may be an advantage if United grabs next to European football. “It could be an advantage, but that doesn’t mean we’re letting it go now. We have an obligation to get results. That is good for the feeling and the atmosphere in the run-up to the new season.” The ex-trainer of Schalke 04, among others, cites the example of Jürgen Klopp, who had no European obligations with Liverpool in his first full season with the English club and led the club towards the Champions League with the Reds to finish in fourth place that season.
Manchester United have lost sight of a Champions League ticket after their 3-1 defeat at Arsenal. With four games to go, the gap to number four Arsenal is six points and the London club also has a game credit. Wolverhampton Wanderers, currently number eight in the Premier League, have one extra game to play against United, five points behind the Red Devils† The number seven in the league qualifies for the Conference League, where all places below do not entitle you to a ticket for European football.
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