Rangnick: We have many strong role models

United are preparing to return to Premier League action this Saturday evening, following the Emirates FA Cup third-round success over the same opponents - Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa side - earlier this week.

With Rangnick indicating his team have enough know-how to help them not only on the pitch but off it too, the German coach has named a number of key men who play a pivotal role within the group.

When asked in his pre-match media briefing if Cristiano is the perfect role model, the 63-year-old began: ''Not only him [Ronaldo], we also have Edinson [Cavani], Harry [Maguire], many other key older players.

''David [De Gea], Victor [Lindelof], Bruno [Fernandes]... we have enough experienced players. They can be role models not only in training, but also on the pitch, in the games and in the locker room also.

''Together this can also be done on the coach to away games, in the hotel... this has to happen everywhere. In a United team it must happen automatically and I can only invite and challenge players to do that on a regular basis. It will always help in a team, none more so than in the group we have right now.''

While both Ronaldo and Fernandes have been given the armband in recent weeks during club captain Harry Maguire’s absence, our interim boss has declared his trust in the England international to continue leading the team forward.

''Right now I don’t see a reason to change that role,'' said Rangnick.

The German added: ''Harry has been the captain and as long as he is playing he will continue to do so.

''If he is not playing Cristiano, will obviously step in but this can change from game to game.

"As I said before, it’s all dependent on who is playing and who is not.''