Manchester United German Interim head coach Ralf Rangnick reacts to their defeat as he leaves after the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 9, 2022. - Everton won the game 1-0. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Anthony Devlin / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ANTHONY DEVLIN/AFP via Getty Images)
The 2021/22 season is unraveling quickly for Manchester United and with roughly a month left of the campaign, qualification for next season’s Champions League is looking unlikely.
It’s a sorry climax for Ralf Rangnick’s side – the German took over a sinking ship and it would be fair to put all the blame on him. United currently sit seventh in the table, six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.
Erik ten Hag is expected to become the permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was sacked last year following a disastrous start to the season.
The 52-year-old has his work cut out for him, however, and will be hoping that Rangnick’s side pull off a miraculous push for that elusive Champions League spot.
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According to the Daily Mail, failure to reach Europe’s fine dining table could heavily impact their spending power in this summer’s transfer window.
As per the report, agents of some players have been told that United’s no-show in the tournament could slash their transfer budget to as low as £20m.
SN’s verdict…
A £20m budget isn’t a lot to work with for a new manager, especially when you’re embarking on one of the biggest rebuilds in the club’s modern history.
It would mean that United run the risk of missing out on their top targets, with their Premier League rivals being able to spend far more.
United will need to be clever in the market, and generate funds through sales after downsizing their squad. Not many supporters need to be reminded of the bloated squad already at Old Trafford.