Ralf Rangnick reveals messages with Erik ten Hag and vows to help new manager

Ralf Rangnick hopes to bring the curtain down on his interim reign by securing Europa League qualification in front of new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, who he will meet this weekend after detailed WhatsApp conversations.

A sense of hope around Old Trafford at the start of the season quickly disappeared, with 1999 treble hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked in November and his temporary replacement failing to get things on track.

United have long since been out of the race for Champions League qualification and head to Crystal Palace on Sunday knowing they have to match West Ham’s result to avoid falling into the Europa Conference League.

Rangnick’s sixth-placed side are two points better off but have a far worse goal difference as they head to Selhurst Park wounded by the 4-0 humiliation at Brighton a fortnight ago.

“We once again, unfortunately, have quite a few players missing and another couple of players with question marks,” said Rangnick, with the availability of Jadon Sancho, Phil Jones, Alejandro Garnacho and Luke Shaw in doubt.

“We have to wait for tomorrow’s last training session. As it stands now there will be quite a few players missing but I’m still positive that we’ll have a strong starting line-up and finish the season on a higher note than we did at Brighton.

“I am positive that the players want to get things right and show and prove to everybody that they are capable to play a lot better than we did at Brighton.

“I am also positive that they would much rather player in the Europa League than in the Conference League.

“I mean, for sure they will have to play Thursday evening rather than Tuesday or Wednesday but I think it’s still a big difference if a club like Manchester United plays in the Europa