Ralf Rangnick: 'Players should not be distracted by managerial situation'

Manchester United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick has said that the club's players should not be distracted by the managerial situation at Old Trafford.

Ajax's Erik ten Hag is widely expected to become the club's next permanent boss, with Rangnick due to step aside from the role to become an advisor at the end of the campaign.

Man United's hopes of finishing in a top-four position in the Premier League took a hit on Saturday afternoon when they suffered a 1-0 loss to struggling Everton.

However, Rangnick has said that the recent speculation should not be used as an excuse to explain the team's underwhelming performance at Goodison Park.

"I don't think [manager speculation] should be an excuse. We are Manchester United. We have lots of international players, this cannot be an alibi and an excuse," Rangnick told MUTV.

"We shouldn't be distracted by that, there will be a new manager next season. If this is announced now or in 10, or 14, or in 20 days it should have no effect on a game like this one today."

Man United are currently seventh in the Premier League table, six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham on the same number of matches (31).