Rio Ferdinand slams Ralf Rangnick after Manchester United defeat to Arsenal

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United have got worse under Ralf Rangnick after writing off their top four hopes following the defeat to Arsenal.

United suffered their second loss of the week on the road as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium. Goals from Nuno Tavares and Granit Xhaka either side of Bukayo Saka’s first-half penalty did the damage, with Cristiano Ronaldo getting on the scoresheet for the visitors.

The result leaves the Reds six points off fourth with just four games remaining, while Arsenal and Spurs still have a game in hand on them. United now find themselves in a battle just to secure a European spot, with West Ham and Wolves still within touching distance of them.

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Watching the game for BT Sport, former defender Ferdinand declared United’s Champions League hopes all-but over for next season. And he was less-than complimentary about the job done by Rangnick since arriving as interim manager.

“First of all, credit to Arsenal,” Ferdinand said. “They got the job done, by no means a top performance today but they got what is needed at this point of the season, and that is three points.

“Manchester United, they had an opportunity to get back in this game, they had chances, obviously the penalty. They were there for the taking Arsenal, but Manchester United did not smell blood and big moments like those they need to learn to take. Being brutally honest, (Ralf) Rangnick has come in and it has got worse.”

Asked about the race for fourth, Ferdinand added: “Yeah, that is it for the top four. Manchester United have absolutely no chance, it’s done.”

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