Champions League Win Can Land Ralf Rangnick Permanent Manchester United Job

Ralf Rangnick has been told he can be the Manchester United manager after this season ends, if he wins the Champions League in May.

United are currently shopping around for their next permanent manager, with Rangnick originally only brought in to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until the end of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti was named as a possible short term appointment this week, and Erik ten Hag is reportedly learning English in order to move to the Premier League.

However, the current interim boss is still amongst the potential candidates for the longer term, with the German third favourite according to the bookies.

Now former United striker Louis Saha has claimed that Rangnick can cement the position by winning Europe's number one prize this season.

"It’s not definitely the case that Rangnick won’t be there in charge of United in the summer," Saha told William Hill.

"If Ralf wins the Champions League, he will remain there as manager.

"There is concern around him, yes, as he started really well and people thought about him staying, and now United are not playing so well.

"But it’s all about results for Rangnick. United can win the Champions League this season."

The idea of United winning the competition was recently laughed at by Micah Richards and Jamie Carragher, but Saha did add that the best team doesn't always win.

Whilst the Frenchman used Chelsea last season as an example, Carragher will know what it's like to be in a similar situation to United right now.

Liverpool's famous win against AC Milan in 2005 came as they finished fifth in the league, below rivals Everton, and United aren't currently guaranteed a place in the top four.

United remain in the Champions League reckoning after somehow getting of the first leg of their last 16 game with Atletico Madrid with a 1-1 draw, with Anthony Elanga's goal saving them from a deserved loss.

On their chances of finishing in the top four, Saha added, "If they don’t finish in the top four, it will be a massive blow.

“We’re talking like finishing in the top four is winning the title. I’m sorry, but this club should be winning games and aiming to win the title, not to be in the top four. That’s not normal.

“Finishing in the top four is an indication of things moving forward, but that’s not enough."

United's problems recently have come down to not being able to score enough goals, leading to criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo, and they don't have too many other options upfront.

They could do with a player like Saha during his prime, when he moved to Old Trafford from Fulham in 2004.