SPEND IT LIKE CITY AND KOP

about having a clear transfer strategy and signing players who fit into that system – and that’s what both clubs (City and Liverpool) have been doing in the last five or six years.

“If I look at their transfer policy and their transfer success, they haven’t had many players who people would say maybe that wasn’t the right signing.

“Both clubs have been pretty successful

– and this is

where Manchester United have to go again.

“In order to close the gap to those two clubs, I wouldn’t say we have to do the same thing because we have our own identity.

“But from there you must make sure the recruitment is right. You have to be quick enough in the transfer market, knowing the transfer market and signing the right players at the right moment.

“On top of that, you need the best possible manager and coaching staff.”

But the German believes it will take time and patience, as well as a clear strategy in the transfer market, to close the gap on Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp (below).

And he accepts failure to qualify for the Champions League will have serious consequences.

Rangnick added: “Pep has been there for almost six years, he came in 2016, and Jurgen in 2015. It’s a question of continuity, consistency and knowing exactly how you want to play as a club and a manager. “Financially, everybody knows what missing the top four would mean. “You would have less money available for your budget and it would be better for all the players and the staff members if you played

Champions League.

“It would also maybe make negotiations with new players easier.”