Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has rubbished reports Manchester United asked him to compile a dossier for new manager Erik ten Hag in which he slammed current players for lacking professionalism. Rangnick will hold the fort until Ten Hag steps in as a permanent replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer.
Having seen their title aspirations descend into tatters, Rangnick was appointed in December. Under his watch a failure to secure top-four seems increasingly likely while, following exits from the FA Cup and Champions League, the Old Trafford giants have now gone five seasons without picking up a trophy.
Several high-profile players have underperformed this campaign and United have often relied on David de Gea to save them or Cristiano Ronaldo brilliance to inspire them. However, despite admitting that United need to rebuild, Rangnick says that he has not - and has never had - any issues regarding attitude within the group.
READ MORE: Ralf Rangnick explains why he has not spoken to manager Erik ten Hag yet
During an interview with Sky Sports, the interim manager said: "It is completely false and completely untrue. The board has never asked me to prepare a dossier, not for the board and not for Erik [ ten Hag ].
"This is completely untrue and I also never said anything to anybody criticising the attitude of the players as being unprofessional or selfish or whatever. This is not true and I will always protect my players.
"I have never realised any issues about being not professional or selfish. It's obvious that players are - in moments like this - also looking for reasons why the results haven't been as good as they were.
"I have been talking to the board, obviously, quite regularly and in the past we were exchanging our impression on the current situation. For me it is important so that, together with Erik and the scouting department, we can build a new squad and group of players with quality and mentality.
"From then, Erik together with his coaching staff... they will develop and lead this club into areas it should be."
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