Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Ralf Rangnick issues warning to Erik Ten Hag with brutal assessment of Man Utd squad

Ralf Rangnick, Man Utd, defeat, Crystal Palace

Ralf Rangnick admitted his players have not been the same since their Champions League exit as they were defeated 1-0 by Crystal Palace.

Luckily for United, Brighton’s 3-1 win over West Ham meant the Red Devils still secured a top six finish on the final day. This means Man United will feature in the Europa League next season, whereas West Ham must settle for Europa Conference League. And Rangnick admitted after the loss that his side had Brighton to thank for this achievement.

He said: “Yes, I think Brighton did us the favour to turn the game around because they were losing at half-time. They scored three times in the second half and that was the good thing about this weekend.

“We would have loved to take care of ourselves. But in a way the game was indicative of last couple of weeks. Especially when we played away from home.”

Rangnick will now step back into a consultancy role at the club, whilst also becoming the Austrian national team coach.

Reflecting on his time in charge at Man United, the 63-year-old admitted it had been a challenge, while also questioning the focus of his players in recent months.

Rangnick believes that since the defeat to Atletico Madrid in March, some players have lost concentration.

He said: “It was a new experience for me. Not necessarily coming in the middle of the season but knowing that it would be an interim role. Unfortunately we didn’t have any pre-season and unfortunately we couldn’t strengthen the squad.

“These things happen and in hindsight it was a little bit bittersweet, or sweet bitter rather. Because in the first couple of weeks and months we did well. We collected enough points with an average of 2.1 until the game against Atletico. But I think that defeat in the Champions League was in a way like somebody popped the balloon.”

“I think the big goal of some of our top players was the Champions League. After this defeat to Atletico you could literally feel it in training. We did not have the same level of energy, focus and concentration in training.

“In the league if you are not playing at the best or highest level, and this also happened before I arrived, even against bottom teams like Watford you can concede four goals and this can happen.

Ralf Rangnick warns Erik Ten Hag over team spirit issuesIncoming Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag

Former Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag will now take charge of Man United for next season.

The new boss was in attendance at Selhurst Park, but did not enter the United changing room after the game.

Rangnick claimed he is yet to speak to the new man in charge of the club. However, he did warn Ten Hag of issues in the squad, stating that new players brought in must engage with the clubs team spirit.

“Team spirit, yes this is also an issue,” Rangnick admitted. “I think this team could do with more cohesion, there could be more togetherness on the pitch.

“This is also important when we think of new players. When the board together with the manager are thinking about new players,  we must make sure they are not only players that have the quality to strengthen the squad but they are players who will invest in the team spirit.”

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