Rangnick’s not sure he has time to save season

RALF RANGNICK fears he hasn’t got the time or influence to solve Manchester United’s troubles before his job as interim manager ends in May.

Sportsmail revealed the extent of the problems facing Rangnick last week after he walked into a toxic environment that rivals even the darkest period under Jose Mourinho.

Morale is low with up to half the squad wanting to leave, the dressing room divided into cliques, and below-par performances on the pitch leaving United seventh in the Premier League. Rangnick is said to feel that he simply doesn’t have enough time to make the changes he knows are needed before the end of the season, when he will hand over the reins and take up a two-year consultancy role with the club.

The 63- year- old German’s position has also been weakened because the short-term nature of his job means players are less likely to buy into his ideas than if he were the permanent manager.

Most of United’s problems existed before Rangnick succeeded Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, doubts are already being expressed over his training techniques and the calibre of coaching staff he has brought in after Chris Armas and Ewan Sharp joined United until the end of the season.

Armas had been sacked twice in the 15 months before his arrival, — by MLS clubs New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC — and Sharp followed Rangnick to Old Trafford from Lokomotiv Moscow.

Rangnick is believed to have identified a selfish element among the United dressing room who are reluctant to pull together for the team — a problem first detected by Mourinho.

While the club would be happy to offload certain players, their high salaries are a stumbling block for any transfer or loan deals.

Anthony Martial’s £200,000-aweek wages are jeopardising a loan move to Sevilla, and Phil Jones’ injury record would be an issue due to his £120,000-a-week pay.

It means that Rangnick could be stuck with an unhappy camp until his tenure ends in the summer when Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata could leave as free agents. A number of other players are expected to follow — if they don’t go in this transfer window.