Man United interim boss Ralf Rangnick won't rule out staying as manager next season

Ralph Rangnick has ruled out the possibility that he could continue as manager of Manchester United next season.

The German was unveiled as interim boss at Old Trafford in November and said he could recommend at the time that he stay in the position beyond the summer

Mauricio Pochettino and Eric Ten Haag have been linked with the vacancy, but Rangnik has remained silent about the possibility that he could be cleared.

"I know what I said, that maybe at a stage I can finally recommend myself for the role as a consultant," Rangnik told a news conference on Friday. "It's not the end of the season and we have 11 games left and maybe a few more in the Champions League.

"We have a lot to prepare for Sunday [against Manchester City] and that's what I'm looking for."

Rangnik hopes to have Edinson Cavani available to visit the city. The striker has not performed since the 1-1 draw at Burnley on 8 February due to a groin injury.

"He's back in training since yesterday [Thursday]," Rangnik said. "Today was his second season. He looks good so I think he can be part of the group at least for Sunday.

"Some players have two or three question marks behind them and we'll have to wait and see what happens. Edinson as it stands now will be part of the group."

A good recent record at home at Rangnik City takes United to the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola has won only one domestic league derby since joining the club in 2016, while United have won five of their last seven visits to the Etihad in all competitions.

"We know we are playing against one of the best in Europe and the world, if not the best," Rangnik said. "He has developed well since his arrival.

"The same thing happened at Bayern. He [Guardiola] is one of the most influential coaches in the last 10 or 15 years.

"We know what kind of team and style we're facing. It will be about tactical discipline, defending, sprinting and running. Waiting to transition and then taking our chances. We've spent the last 10 or so years. Made enough in 11 matches."

Meanwhile, Guardiola's derby preparations have suffered a setback after Ruben Dias was ruled out with a hamstring injury. The defender was substituted at half-time during Tuesday's 2-0 win over Peterborough in the FA Cup and could miss for the next six weeks.

"It happens in one season," Guardiola said at a news conference on Friday. "One of the best players in a season was out for eight or nine months; Kevin [De Bruyne]. I don't like it, we need him so much.

"Reuben is massively important to us but he's not there. I'm not going to cry. We just have two central defenders; that's it.

"We're going to fight. We're going to try to play well. It's impossible to fight if you don't play well. We'll try to behave well, win the game well and hope that our people support us." as they always do."

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