Ralf Rangnick claims Manchester United will struggle to sign players if Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are interested
Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick admits new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faces a battle to convince transfer targets to choose Old Trafford if Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are interested.
Asked if top players still want to join the club, Rangnick said: “As a club, with regards to supporters, stadium, quality of training ground, I would say yes.
“But we also have to be realistic. As soon as other clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are involved, then you need some good reasons and somebody needs to explain to the players.
“That is why it is important what Erik thinks. I know from my time with Leipzig and Salzburg, and I also know it from Jurgen and from Thomas, if they want players they’re involved. They speak to the players and the same is probably true with Pep.
“They will invite the players themselves. It’s also about speaking to those players and finding out about their mentality and character, are they really players who are the best possible fit for this club.
“It is not only identifying those players but meeting them, convincing them to join the club even though we will not be playing in the Champions League. It is obvious the club needs quite a few new players. I already told you how I see that.
“For me it’s important the club identifies scouts and then recruits those kind of players to develop Manchester United into one of the top teams again and therefore you need mentality, quality, physicality, pace and skills. You need the full package.
“It’s obvious and I think this season showed that there are some problems that need to be solved and that need to be attacked and need to be settled.
“I am positive. Again, I have to say with Erik ten Hag Manchester United will have one of the best coaches that are available, probably one of the best coaches we have in Europe.
“Then it is about together with him, recruitment together with the way the team is being trained and coached, are the two most vital things.
“If those two things come together I am very positive the fans here at Old Trafford can see a better kind of team and a better kind of football.”