Ralf Rangnick.

United are still an attractive option

Wednesday 27 April 2022 13:51

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick believes Manchester United will be able to compete for our top transfer targets in the summer, even without the prospect of Champions League football in 2022/23.

The Reds' 3-1 defeat to Arsenal last time out led to the boss admitting a top-four spot was probably no longer a realistic proposition but, ahead of the home game with Chelsea on Thursday, he stressed that the club's recent successful renewal of Bruno Fernandes's contract indicates that top players will still want to play for United.

The appointment of one of the best coaches in Europe in new manager Erik ten Hag is also a further positive for any prospective targets in the market and Ralf is keen to help the Dutchman upon his arrival.

Part one: Ralf's press conference v Chelsea Video

Part one: Ralf's press conference v Chelsea

Watch the first half of Ralf's latest press conference, to preview our Premier League match against Chelsea...

"Well, of course, it would be better if we played in the Champions League next season," he told reporters at the pre-Chelsea press conference. "But this also affects other clubs.

"This is not only a problem that Manchester United has, and the renewal of the contract of Bruno showed that it's still possible.

"This club is an attractive club and, with a new manager, a new approach and the way he wants to play, this is still a massively interesting club, and I'm looking forward to helping Erik and everybody at the club to get the best and change the whole approach next season so that United can be a top club again."

United's clash with Thomas Tuchel's side kicks off at 19:45 BST on Thursday at Old Trafford.

The Reds are currently in sixth spot in the table, and both Arsenal and Tottenham have a game in hand. Chelsea sit third and will be looking to cement that position in a game rearranged due to their progress to the Emirates FA Cup final.

However, United have a superb recent record against the Blues, who have not won at the Theatre of Dreams since Juan Mata's solitary strike earned them victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's men in May, 2013.

Rangnick has admitted he only has 14 senior [outfield] players available for the clash, with a number of first-teamers out.

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