Manchester United staff are 'concerned' about the club's transfer plans come the end of the season as plenty of important decisions are on hold until Ralf Rangnick's successor is appointed.
The German was appointed in late-November of last year as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's replacement but only on an interim basis, meaning those at the top of United's hierarchy are still very much on the look-out for a permanent appointment to take over at the end of the season. There are a number of names in the running, including struggling Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino.
According to The Telegraph, many of those working at the club are unable to plan particularly far ahead as things could be subject to change depending on who replaces Rangnick in the summer. There are fears that the delays being caused by this process could only further damage United's fortunes in the long-term.
Things are already notably bleak around Old Trafford as it is in the wake of their recent elimination from the Champions League at the hands of La Liga giants Atletico Madrid. The Spanish side stifled what little threat United could muster as they held them at arms length for the majority of both legs.
Diego Simeone's side were the dominant force during the first-leg in Madrid but Anthony Elanga's late equaliser sparked United hopes over potentially progressing into the next round of the most elite club competition. Renan Lodi's 41st minute header at Old Trafford was enough to separate the two sides and dump United out.
The defeat means any semi-realistic hopes of silverware for United this season are over as the club's trophy drought continues. The Red Devils are without a major honour since the 2017 Europa League when Jose Mourinho was at the helm.
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There are doubts as to whether United will even be in the Champions League next term given their stuttering league form. Rangnick's side currently sit fifth in the table, one point behind Arsenal despite having played two games more than the Gunners.
West Ham are just two points behind the Red Devils with the same amount of games played, while Tottenham Hotspur are breathing down their necks also two points behind with one game in hand over United. Failure to qualify could spark a mass exodus of players desperate to continue to try their hand at the top level.
The likes of Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba are already expected to call time on their United careers at the end of the season, but a further demise could see names such as Cristiano Ronaldo also begin to consider their options.
Rangnick's brief tenure has undeniably failed to inspire as United have been eliminated from both the Champions League and FA Cup on his watch. Any chance of the 63-year-old remaining at the helm beyond this season appears to have been quashed in the wake of the recent run of poor form.
United can barely afford yet another season way off the pace and out of contention for major honours with months of the campaign still left to play. It is for the reason the next appointment needs to be made sooner rather than later.
