Ralf Rangnick stresses importance of Manchester United being in next season’s Champions League

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Ralf Rangnick feels Manchester United have to be in next season’s Champions League no matter how the Reds qualify for the competition.

The Red Devils face a huge battle finishing in the all important fourth spot in the Premier League as Arsenal continue to impress under Mikel Arteta.

Rangnick’s side are fifth in the table and one point behind the Gunners, but the north London side have three gams in-hand on us.

The German was asked in his pre-match press conference, ahead of the second leg against Atletico Madrid tomorrow night, about the importance of United being in Europe’s top club competition next season.

Rangnick said: “Yes, but for us it’s more about our own sporting ambition.

“We are highly ambitious, we want to proceed, we want to show that we can compete with the best teams in Europe and therefore we will try everything to win the game tomorrow.”

United’s interim boss was asked whether he felt the best route to qualification was winning this season’s competition.

Rangnick added: “It doesn’t matter which way we qualify for the Champions League next season. The question is what is most realistic.

“Tomorrow is the Champions League and we’ll try everything we possibly can to win the game tomorrow to be in the last eight.

“Even if we manage to do that, there are other good teams in the competition. In three weeks, we have the next Premier League game against Leicester at home and we will still try to push to win the next games in the league.

“We are fully aware we shouldn’t be dropping points anymore. Arsenal are in good shape. They won again yesterday.

“We need to look after ourselves and win our games in the Premier League. Tomorrow, it’s a different competition, it’s the Champions League and everyone in the squad is highly-motivated.”

At the start of the season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and following the signings of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and the homecoming of Cristiano Ronaldo, the club and fans were hoping United could lead a title charge.

But things haven’t gone to plan this season and United face going into the business end of the season scrapping for a Champions League spot.