Ralf keen to be part of United's future

Ten Hag will take over as manager at Old Trafford after the season is over, with a deal running until June 2025, with the option to extend a further year, agreed.

Speaking ahead of the Reds' trip to north London to take on Arsenal, Rangnick admitted he was interested in remaining at the club beyond this season in some capacity after being lined up for a consultancy role when taking interim charge last year.

“I’m interested, I’m very much feeling with this club, after these five-and-a-half months, and I still see what kind of options, what kind of space for improvement where we could develop," he said. “Having seen Liverpool play against us, having seen what has happened at other clubs and we also spoke about Arsenal and even Tottenham. Why should this not be possible here?

“I mean this is one of the biggest clubs in the world, we have perfect training conditions, we have a fantastic stadium, and we have massive fan support.

“Of course, I would like to be part of that process that has to happen but, again, I cannot [say] right now, I don’t know if this can happen and how this has really been appreciated and wanted.”

Rangnick has yet to meet Ten Hag face to face and that will be the next logical step when discussing his future at the club.

“At least we have an agreement on that [consultancy] role," added the German. "In the end, it is not a question that has to be written on paper or has been agreed upon, it’s about what will really happen in everyday life and in everyday business, this is the question and it is also important, in the end, how does Erik ten Hag see that? Does he like to speak with somebody like myself, how closely does he want to work together? Those are the things we've not spoken about yet. For me, I'm not worried about that at all.

“For me, it’s not about having agreed upon a contract for the next two years. I'm 64 very soon. For me, it’s about what will really happen and not about the contract on paper. How much do Erik ten Hag and the board of Manchester United want to know about my opinion, about my experience and this is what we haven’t spoken about, as yet.”

Rangnick was full of praise for his successor and believes Ten Hag can definitely be the man to move the club forward.

“Erik ten Hag is a good choice, if not a very good choice, he has shown that in the past," he added. "I’m pretty convinced he’s the best possible coach you can get right now.”

The Reds' key game at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium kicks off at 12:30 BST on Saturday.