A TOP FOUR FLOP REAL BAD NEWS
RALF RANGNICK admits failing to qualify for the Champions League will make it hard to convince top players to sign for Manchester United.
Rangnick, who will take up a two-year consultancy role when the season ends, also urged the club to stop chasing big names and focus on emerging talent.
The interim boss acknowledged Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea now have the edge over United when it comes to attracting the best in Europe.
He believes the Reds should be recruiting the likes of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, but conceded rivals who finish in the top four and can offer Champions League football have a huge advantage.
Against that backdrop, Rangnick (below) gave incoming boss Erik ten Hag a brutal reality check, insisting there must be a readjustment of transfer targets after such a poor season.
“My opinion is the club should try to find future top players and try to develop them,” he said. “Haaland is 21 and one of those players. He has developed into one of the most expensive strikers in the world.
“He is an example of who I think the emphasis should be on, to convince players who should be Manchester United players for the next few years.
“It’s obvious the club and team needs new players. Some players have no contracts any more and some are not available, some might want more game time and are on loan already.
“It’s obvious the club needs quite a few new players. You need mentality, quality, physicality, skills - the full package.
“But as soon as other clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are involved, you need some good reasons. I know from Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel, if they want players they talk to them and the same is probably true of Pep Guardiola.
“They find out about their mentality and character and whether they are the right fit.”