Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has insisted that the Red Devils would still be an attractive option for new signings even if they miss out on Champions League football.
The Red Devils are on the verge of seeing their fight for a top four place ended having lost three out of their last four Premier League games. Defeat at Arsena l put them six points off the pace.
They take on Chelsea on Thursday, with anything other than maximum points likely putting them out of the race to return to Europe’s top table next term. There has been concern over how the lack of Champions League football would affect the club’s operations in the upcoming transfer window.
The Red Devils’ current squad is in dire need of an overhaul, with a number of stars including Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Jesse Lingard all set to depart at the end of the season. Not only would the club be set to lose out on the status that top-level Champions League football brings, they would also be stripped of the huge amount of revenue qualifying for the competition generates.
However, Rangnick has insisted that new signings would still be convinced to play for the club and used the recent new contract for Bruno Fernandes as an example. Talking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Chelsea clash, the German said: "Well, of course, it would be better if we played in the Champions League next season.
“But this also affects other clubs. This is not only a problem that Manchester United has, and the renewal of the contract of Bruno showed that it's still possible.
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"This club is an attractive club and, with a new manager, a new approach and the way he wants to play, this is still a massively interesting club, and I'm looking forward to helping Erik and everybody at the club to get the best and change the whole approach next season so that United can be a top club again."
Rangnick could yet play a considerable part in the impending rebuild at Old Trafford despite the fact that he is stepping away from the dugout. The former RB Leipzig head coach is set to take on a consultancy role, with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag having already been announced as the man to take control in the summer.
The Red Devils have already been linked with a swoop for one of the Dutchman’s current star players at the Johan Cruyff ArenA. Brazilian forward Antony has already been linked with a switch to United ahead of the summer window.
Meanwhile, former West Ham United flop Sebastien Haller is reportedly being eyed by ten Hag. According to The Sun, the Ivory Coast forward could cost approximately £35m should the Red Devils pursue a summer swoop.
Both Rangnick and ten Hag also have decisions to make over the futures of Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial. The pair will return from their respective loan spells with Everton and Sevilla in the summer.
