It will take Manchester United up to three transfer windows to catch up to their Premier League rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, says interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
Speaking to the media, the German explained that United’s competitors strengthened their position over a considerable period – which is what his team needs to succeed.
“Manchester City and Liverpool have been built together and recruited over a period of five or six years – all of them under the premise of how the coaches want to play,”
he stated.
“It takes right decisions and where you want to go: what kind of players, want kind of manager and then, in every transfer window, try to get the best possible.
This is rocket science. It has to be done and, if that happens, it does not necessarily need three or four years. Maybe in two or three transfer windows, then the situation could be different.”
he stated.
United’s Champions League qualification hopes were knocked back on April 2 when they drew 1-1 against Leicester City at Old Trafford. The Foxes took a deserved lead through Kelechi Iheanacho in the 63rd minute but were pegged back three minutes later when Fred smashed the ball past Kasper Schmeichel from close range. Leicester scored again through James Maddison later on, but VAR came to the rescue for the hosts.
Nevertheless, more dropped points left the Red Devils trailing in the wake of rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, both of whom are three points ahead. The draw means Rangnick has his work cut out for him before he hands over the reins to his successor this summer; by all accounts, including his own, the German will retreat into a consulting position once the campaign is over.
Manchester United have little to compete for this season apart from a top-four finish, following their elimination from all the domestic and continental competitions.
