Ralf Rangnick believes it's "normal" for ex-players to comment on their former employers after Wayne Rooney urged Manchester United to appoint Mauricio Pochettino.
The Red Devils are currently on the hunt for their next manager, with Erik ten Hag close to being appointed. The Ajax boss has held formal talks with United, who are willing to trigger his £1.67million release clause. Pochettino has also been interviewed for the role.
Interim boss Rangnick will start a two-year consultancy gig at Old Trafford when his temporary deal expires this summer. United have failed to impress under the German, sitting seventh in the Premier League - three points behind Tottenham in fourth.
As well as give his opinion on United's next manager, Rooney insisted Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford from Juventus last summer has not been a success and urged Paul Pogba to leave the club when his contract expires this summer.
"It doesn’t make sense to speak about that [subject] again," said Rangnick when asked about Rooney's comments on Friday. "That former players or pundits are telling their opinions on our current situation is normal, that happens at other clubs as well. But for me and for us the focus is on tomorrow and the next games."
Speaking to Sky Sports, Rooney said: "He [Pochettino] knows the Premier League and at Tottenham he brought a lot of players through. He did it at Southampton as well. If I'm choosing from one of the two, that's who I'd choose."
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On Pogba, Rooney added: I think it's got to a point where it's probably better for him to move on. If Paul is honest with himself, he probably hasn't had the impact he'd have liked since he returned to Man Utd... there's a few players they need to let go of."
And on Ronaldo, Rooney claimed: "Cristiano is getting on a bit and he's certainly not the player he was when he was in his 20s and that happens. He's a goal threat but I think during the rest of the game, they need more."
While speaking to the press on Friday, Rangnick was also asked about Donny van de Beek's future. The Dutchman is currently on loan at Everton and has struggled to make an impact, with Frank Lampard's side sitting dangerously above the relegation zone.
"Why not? But it depends on the new manager and the way he wants to play," said Rangnick when questioned. "For Donny, he told me in quite a few conversations that he wants regular game-time in order to qualify for the Netherlands World Cup squad.
"Again, this needs to be discussed when it is clear who will be the new manager and when they begin to plan the new squad. I will not be the manager next season.
"It also depends on how you want to play. Do you want to play more possession based or counter pressing, pressing kind of football? It depends on that and what other kind of players are coming. The squad needs to be rebuilt in the summer, that is clear. But again, those are questions that it doesn't make sense to speak about right now."
