Erik ten Hag at Selhurst Park
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Ralf Rangnick has warned incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag that the club desperately needs to sign players who will improve the team spirit in the squad this summer.
Ten Hag was at Selhurst Park to watch United slump to a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on the final day of the season as he discovered the scale of the task facing him at Old Trafford.
United ended their season in disappointment despite qualifying for the Europa League and Rangnick says United need to build “a team that really deserves the name ‘team’”.
Ten Hag will be unveiled as United manager on Monday when he will hold a press conference in Manchester.
And ahead of his first proper day in the job, Rangnick told the new United boss: “Team spirit is an issue. 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 - that we 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."
Rangnick added: “For me, it’s about [understanding] why do players move to a certain club.
“Apart from quality, talent, the physicality that you need for this league, and mentality, I think the most important thing is that we find players for who [here] is the best next sporting step [for them].
“They shouldn’t want to come because it’s Manchester United and maybe they get a good contract here, it should be for developing their careers and taking the next best possible step in their careers. That happens and you have a completely different level of motivation and energy.”
