Ralf Rangnick explains why he has not spoken to next Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag yet

Ralf Rangnick is unlikely to speak to incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag until mid-May, at the earliest.

Ten Hag is in charge at Ajax until the end of the season and the Dutch champions have four fixtures remaining in the Eredivisie, where they sit top with PSV Eindhoven four points behind.

Ajax host PEC Zwolle on Saturday, travel to AZ Alkmaar, host Heerenveen and are away at Vitesse Arnhem on the final weekend of the season on May 15. United's last match is at Crystal Palace on May 22.

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Rangnick clarified he is staying on as a consultant at United on a two-year contract and is looking forward to working with Ten Hag.

"His focus is on Ajax now and trying to win the title now," Rangnick added. "My focus is on our club and getting the best possible results.

"Whenever he has time or would like to speak, I'm available. But I would not want to contact him on my own account right now.

"I'm looking forward to working in that advisory role and obviously helping Erik as much as he wants it himself. So far, we haven't been able to speak with each other and we have had no contact. He has his focus on Ajax, I have my focus on Manchester United here.

"Obviously, I'm more than willing and prepared to help both Erik and whomever in the club in order to change everything for the better."

Sixth-placed United currently occupy a Europa League qualifying spot in the Premier League table and would have to finish eighth not to qualify for any European competition next term. Leicester and Chelsea won the Premier League title in 2015-16 and 16-17 without any European competition commitments, while Liverpool almost ended their championship drought in 2013-14 in a campaign