Manchester United's Nemanja Matic has admitted that 'it's not easy' for any manager to take over a club on an interim basis.
United were expected to contend for the Premier League title this season but that challenge never began. United have been reduced to fighting for Champions League football instead and Ralf Rangnick's spell at Old Trafford has been far from straightforward.
Rangnick was appointed on an interim basis until the end of the season in November and some questioned that decision. It has been suggested the German lacks authority because he's just an interim manager and Matic, speaking ahead of United's match against Leicester on Saturday evening, seemed to agree with that assessment.
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Matic admitted it's been difficult for Rangnick but also urged his teammates to follow him for the remainder of the season.
"There is a pressure on us but we have to know how to deal with that and to perform in the best way," Matic told Sky Sports.
"For players sometimes, if you know the manager is not here next season, it is not easy when you change manager. Every new manager needs some time to work on it and we are trying to do what he wants from us.
"In some games we did that well, in some games not great. When the players think the manager is only here for a few months it is not easy for him. But we are all professionals we need to follow his ideas because it is good for him, good for us and good for a club.
"We have to be honest and say that every player has to do more. We have to better as a team, there is no more excuse and the last nine games we have to win seven or eight."
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