"Got no strength of position" - Gary Neville explains why Ralf Rangnick is at an 'impossible situation' at Manchester United

Former Manchester United player Gary Neville commented on interim manager Ralf Rangnick's situation with the Red Devils on Saturday. This came after United's 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

In their 4-1 loss against Manchester City last weekend, United were without their star man Cristiano Ronaldo. The superstar forward was reportedly injured and even flew to Portugal instead of remaining with the team. Rangnick admitted that it was "challenging" managing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Speaking about the German coach's position, Neville said on Sky Sports:

"Ralf Rangnick's in there for four or five months, he's got no strength of position beyond these next few months so players can, to be fair, take liberties with that side of things. If Cristiano Ronaldo gone back to Portugal because he wasn't selected - that's not good. But what can Ralf Rangnick do about it? He's got an impossible situation where he has to try and get in the top four."

He added:

"So he has to either put him in the team or leaves him out again and the situation exaggerates and gets even worse. He's in an impossible position because he hasn't got the strength or control."

Rangnick took over the reigns at Old Trafford in November after the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He is set to take up a two-year consultancy role after the end of the season. Speaking further, Neville said:

"What he does have, if we believe what we were told when he came over, he had two-year consultancy where he could say to the next manager this is what I've seen and this is what I didn't like. So players will have to be careful if he has got any power in selecting the next manager."

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Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur is a crucial match for the Top 4 race

As aforementioned, Manchester United came out 3-2 winners against Spurs on Saturday. A Ronaldo hat-trick secured the three points for the Red Devils. Harry Kane's penalty and Harry Maguire's own goal weren't enough for Spurs.

This was a huge win in the context of the top-four race in the Premier League. With the win, Manchester United moved into fourth position in the league. They are two points above Arsenal, who have four games in hand over the Red Devils. The Gunners play Leicester City on Sunday.

Tottenham, meanwhile, stayed in seventh position. They are five points behind Manchester United but have two games in hand.