RALF RANGNICK warned Manchester United chiefs they face many more years in the wilderness if they don’t get their rebuild right.
And the Red Devils interim boss cites tonight’s opponent Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool side as an example of how it can be done.
Ralf Rangnick says Man Utd should look to Liverpool as an example of how to rebuildCredit: AFPLiverpool finished 8th in Jurgen Klopp’s first campaign at AnfieldCredit: AFP
Rangnick, speaking before Cristiano Ronaldo announced one of his newborn twins had tragically died, said: “It will take two or three windows if you know what you are looking for.
“If you don’t know what you are looking for it is a needle in a haystack.
“If you know what kind of football you want to play and what kind of profiles for each individual position, then it’s about finding them and convincing them to come.
“Liverpool finished eighth when Jurgen first came.
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“The year after they didn’t play international football at all, so the full focus in the second season was on the Premier League and the national cup competitions.
“Then it took two transfer windows. But even in the others that came later there has been a lot of very, very good signings. This is what it is all about.
“It is not complicated. It is not rocket science. But in order to have the best possible wind, you need to know what your destination haven is. If you don’t know that, it is always difficult.”
While the rampant Reds are going for a historic Quadruple this season, United will end a fifth straight season without a trophy.
Next year it will be a decade since they last won the title.
While many think incoming new boss Erik ten Hag may need three years to complete a rebuild, Rangnick believes it should not take that long.
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag will be confirmed as new Man Utd boss in the coming daysCredit: Getty
He said: “A club like Manchester United can’t afford to take three years in order to achieve that. I don’t think that’s necessary.
“It is pretty obvious what needs to change. There needs to be a rebuild for the future.”
United actually finished a place above an injury-ravaged Liverpool last season in second.
And Rangnick believes runners- up spot should have been the least they were looking at this term.
He added: “Everybody thought after finishing second last season with the new players that came in that number two is the minimum that we should achieve. But we all know that that didn’t happen.”
But Rangnick still reckons the Red Devils will need to win each of their last six games, which is some ask with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea to play next.
He said: “We might be underdogs but if we raise our level and put in a top performance we can get three points.”
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes will be available despite being involved in a car crash on his way to training. Rangnick said: “As far as I know nobody was injured.”
Klopp is not underestimating United, despite October’s walk in the park when the Reds ran out 5-0 winners at Old Trafford.
He said: “It is an incredibly important game again for both teams and that says it all. Both teams are fighting for being in the Champions League or more.”
