Ralf Rangnick expects the Manchester United squad to be bolstered with the arrival of "six or eight new players" in the summer transfer window.
The interim manager is preparing to hand the reins to his permanent successor, Erik ten Hag, who will arrive at Old Trafford at the end of the season following a successful stint with Ajax. The Dutchman is tasked with rebuilding the Red Devils squad after a challenging season which appears destined to end without Champions League qualification.
Rangnick will also play a part as he will begin a two-year consultancy role with the club once his spell in the dugout comes to an end. The German has spoken candidly about how United's summer business could pan out, predicting there will be at least half a dozen signings.
He also confirmed he will sit down with Ten Hag once the run-in concludes, telling Sky Sports : "We haven't spoken as yet but I can fully understand that both himself and myself that we should keep our focus on our current teams. Erik is leading the Dutch league and that's what he will try to win, want to win the league with Ajax. We have agreed that we will speak at the end of the season and have a chat about all the things he wants to speak about."
Rangnick was also quizzed about whether United need a fresh injection of quality or a drastic shift in mindset to play the high-pressing brand of football he and Ten Hag favour. He responded: "I mean, in the end football is pretty easy; you just need to win games and in order to do that it's obvious with quite a few players whose contracts are expiring we need a number of new players.
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"There is already at least something like a number of players that are really top players for this club but as I said we need all the other areas. [I] suppose there will be six or eight new players. They should be top players to strengthen the quality of the squad."
While Ten Hag has led Ajax to a four-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie table, Rangnick has struggled at United since replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November. The Red Devils have slipped behind Arsenal and Tottenham in the race for a top-four finish and they appear all but certain to finish in the Europa League spots. Following Saturday evening's clash at Brighton, United travel to Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.
