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Ralf Rangnick has revealed Manchester United's defensive record was a big factor in his appointment as the club continue to battle for a top four finish.

When predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November, United had conceded 21 goals in 12 Premier League games - only two teams had conceded more at that stage - and sat down in eighth as a result. Indeed, after Solskjaer's final game in charge, goalkeeper David de Gea hit out at the "embarrassing" display which could have seen them concede even more than the four scored by the Hornets.

Rangnick has kept the team within touching distance of the top four, though defeat at Liverpool on Tuesday would see them knocked back in their pursuit of Champions League football. And, after Saturday's 3-2 win over Norwich City saw some of the earlier defensive issues return, the former RB Leipzig boss has expressed his concern.

"The reason why the club contacted me in November was the fact they just conceded too many goals too easily," Rangnick told the media ahead of the Liverpool game. "We reduced the number of goals conceded but the way we defend is still not the standard that we need in order to be a top four club."

United kept clean sheets in Rangnick's first two games in