Manchester United face Tottenham Hotspur this weekend knowing that a defeat at Old Trafford would seriously harm their top four hopes this season.
The Red Devils are currently fifth and one point off fourth-spot, while Spurs are two places and two points behind their hosts heading into this game.
Yet Ralf Rangnick ’s side have played three more games than Arsenal in fourth and two more than Spurs in seventh, meaning that a win on Saturday is an absolute must.
And United have been warned over paying the price for missing out on Spurs manager Antonio Conte should they lose to them this weekend.
Former Leeds, Newcastle and Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate can’t understand why The Red Devils didn’t move for the "perfect" option in Conte when they had the chance, and now he could be set to end their top four hopes with a victory at Old Trafford.
Where would Man Utd be if they hired Antonio Conte as their manager instead of Ralf Rangnick? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
With United needing a top level manager to turn their season around and guide them towards winning trophies, Conte seemed the ideal fit, but they opted against making an approach before the Italian ended up at Spurs instead.
Speaking to Genting Casino , Woodgate said: "I was surprised by that as well, because Man Utd want to win trophies, and they’ve had Moyes, Van Gaal, Mourinho, Solskjaer, why couldn’t you get Antonio Conte when he’s available?
"He’s an outstanding manager. I don’t buy into people saying he’s not a Man Utd manager, what is?
"You had Alex Ferguson, the man who’s brought the most success, the others who followed him haven’t been able to get close to winning the Premier League.
"I think Antonio Conte would have been perfect for Man Utd."
And with Spurs hot on the heels of the Red Devils in the running for fourth spot, they could very well end United’s hopes of achieving Champions League football next season with a victory on Saturday.
What’s worse for the hosts is that it would be Conte who is at the helm of the opposition, the very man they missed out on.
Rangnick has somewhat steadied the ship but has failed to take the club forward, with inconsistency, individual reputations and an inability to compete at the top all still huge problems to be dealt with.
United appointed him on an interim basis until the end of the season, a method that Woodgate never believes will pay off for any club.
He said: "I don’t think the interim thing works to be honest with you. I don’t think it’s worked for United.
"I think these players needed to really see someone who was going to be there for the next four years and understand what the club’s objectives are over that period.
"Man Utd should have got a manager in there who’s going to be there for the next four years, so they can build something."
