Ralf Rangnick has suggested that Manchester United might benefit under newly-appointed boss Erik ten Hag if they were to finish eighth in the Premier League this season.
The Red Devils are currently at risk of missing out on Champions League football next season, as they sit sixth in the table, six points behind Arsenal in fourth having played a game more than the Gunners.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have missed out in European football in recent years and have subsequently benefitted from it – with Mikel Arteta's men currently in the driving seat to make the top four after finishing eighth last season – and Rangnick believes it "could be an advantage" for United in the long term should they finish outside the top seven this campaign.
"It could be an advantage but that does not mean we will give away any of the remaining four games. For us it's clear and our obligation," the German told reporters on Wednesday.
"This is our job, my job, the job of the players that we try to get the best possible results and then see at the end of the season in which position we will finish.
"For me it's important we get results, that we play as good as we possibly can, because this will also affect the atmosphere and mood for the new season."
Rangnick added: "I don't think it makes sense now to still speak and speculate about the Champions League, we need to be realistic. Even if we win all four games it's not in our hands, what is in our hands is how we play, our level of performance. It's important for this season to finish on the best possible note."
Man United will welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford for their Premier League clash on Thursday night, before finishing the campaign with three league fixtures against Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.
Oliver Thomas
