Manchester United's interim manager Ralf Rangnick has said the club do not deserve to qualify for next season's European competitions after witnessing another abject performance in the 1-0 defeat to struggling Everton.
United are seventh in the Premier League table with seven matches remaining and have won just once in their past five league matches. In all under Rangnick since the German was appointed since the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United have won just eight of the 17 Premier League game.
Saturday's defeat at relegation-threatened Everton leaves United six points off Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League spot, while fifth-placed Arsenal are three points ahead with a game in hand.
Rangnick, who is due to stay on as an advisor once a full time replacement is named – widely expected to be Ajax manager Erik ten Hag – says based on the Everton display, United are lacking in what is required to play in Europe.
"If we play like we did here we just don't deserve it," said Rangnick. "The players themselves should be eager to play international football, if possible Champions League.
"In order to qualify for Europe you have to be able to score in 95 minutes in a game like this."
Rangnick was embarrassed by his side's inability to score against an Everton side that had lost 3-2 to fellow strugglers Burnley in midweek.
"With all respect to Everton – because they have a good team – but if you don't score against a team who conceded three goals against Burnley, you cannot expect to get anything out of it," said the 63-year-old German.
Rangnick dismissed the idea that speculation over who will be the next manager had distracted the players.
Ten Hag is strongly rumoured to be next man tasked with reviving United as a title contender after years of disappointment. He will be United's fifth permanent manager since the departure of Alex Ferguson as a Premier League champion in 2013 – and this will be the fifth successive season they have finished without a trophy.
"I don't think this should be an excuse," said Rangnick. "We are Manchester United. We have lots of international players. There shouldn't be an alibi.
Everton v Manchester United player ratings
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EVERTON RATINGS: Jordan Pickford 9 – Made two excellent early saves to deny Marcus Rashford. The England No 1 also took command of his penalty area with some vital punched clearances throughout the game. One of his best showings of the season. Reuters -
Seamus Coleman 7 – Endured a tough first half, struggling defensively against a lively pairing of Rashford and Alex Telles on the United left. The veteran full-back was much improved in the second period. Getty -
Far more solid than he has been in recent weeks, helping Everton see out the clean sheet with some important headed clearances. A committed, resilient display. Action Images -
Ben Godfrey 8 – The 24-year-old seemed to get on the end of every United cross, flinging himself in harm’s way time and time again. A decisive return to form after his midweek struggles. EPA -
Vitaly Mykolenko 7 – The Ukrainian was at his dynamic best. Limited Jadon Sancho’s influence down the left side, while also providing a threat on the counter with some teasing crosses into the United box. AP -
Allan 6 – Kept things neat and tidy centrally for the home side. Worked hard out of possession, screening the backline very well alongside Fabian Delph. Getty -
Fabian Delph 8 – Industrious out of possession, while also managing to be highly effective with the ball at his feet. Frank Lampard’s midfield gamble really paid off. Getty -
Alex Iwobi 7 – The Nigerian played in a slightly deeper role than normal. Nevertheless, he rose to the occasion, linking the midfield and the attack with some penetrating driving runs. AP -
Anthony Gordon 8 – Everton’s matchwinner. The local lad’s first half goal may have taken a wicked deflection, but he earned his good fortune with an inspired performance from wide. AP -
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6 – The forward still doesn’t look fully fit, after making a handful of uncharacteristic errors. Lacked rhythm and poise, but the work rate was at least there. AP -
Richarlison 8 – Back to his scintillating, all-action best. The Brazilian assisted Gordon’s winner, finding his teammate after some neat work down the left channel. If he can replicate this form in the coming weeks, Everton should have enough to avoid the drop. EPA -
SUBS: Demarai Gray 7 – Made one vital contribution, blocking Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s goal-bound shot from six yards out. EPA -
Abdoulaye Doucoure N/A – Came on for the final five minutes, replacing the excellent Delph. Reuters -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 7 - Accomplished save from a deflected Richarlison shot on 35 minutes. Reuters -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6 - Kicked in the face after 10, excellent challenge on Delph after 17. Good defending to stop a 68th minute Everton attack. He can tackle but he’s miles off the level of the best full-backs in the league. EPA -
Harry Maguire 4 - Poor pass out of play in second minute and his passing wasn’t sufficient. Everton’s opener deflected off him into the goal – or was it a poor block? Gave the ball away which led to an Everton attack on 68. It’s just not happening for him – or the team he captains. Getty -
Victor Lindelof 5 - Most comfortable United defender, which wasn’t saying much from this wretched collection of footballers. Handled a cross in the opposing area as United tried to get level on 70. AFP -
Alex Telles 5 - Got high and wide, delivered terrible corners. Like Wan Bissaka, he hasn’t been good enough to make a difference at this level. Action Images -
Nemanja Matic 5 - Chosen ahead of Pogba as the holding six on account of what he’s like in possession. Ponderous. Action Images -
Fred 4 - Started off okay pushing forward and winning the ball. Then he pointed to his leg, indicating his was injured. Came off after 35 minutes and looked gutted when he did. EPA -
Marcus Rashford 6 - Shot well saved after six. Header even better saved on 12. Missed a Fernandes diagonal ball when heading towards goal on 49 and he was unfortunate to be the first United player to be substituted in the second half. EPA -
Bruno Fernandes 5 - In-swinging cross for Rashford on 12. Crossed too strongly with a 20th minute chance. Angry with Telles, but he should be angry with himself because he’s not impacting like he did for a fractured United side. EPA -
Jadon Sancho 4 - Wasted a fine counter attacking opportunity just after half time. Really ineffective and disappointing once again, even when he switched sides. United’s attack was dreadful. EPA -
Cristiano Ronaldo 5 - Did he play? Oh, yes, a booking was recorded in his name. And he had a shot on target in the 90th minute. Too little, too late, but Sunday buses in rural areas have better service than he had. EPA -
SUBS: Paul Pogba 5 - On for Fred after 35. Booked after 51. Decent shot saved by the in-form Pickford on 80. Not even close to contributing enough in this awful United side. AFP -
Juan Mata 6 - On for Matic after 63 his first league minutes as United tried to create chances. More effective than those around him, but the bar was low. AFP -
Anthony Elanga 5 - On for Rashford after 63 because United needed a goal. Didn’t happen. Reuters
"There will be a new manager next season. If this is announced now or in 10 days it shouldn't have an impact."
United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea echoed Rangnick's remarks, saying with just one win in their last five league games finishing in the top four seems an impossible task.
"We're not good enough, for sure. It's going to be very difficult now to be in the top four," said De Gea. "We don't score, we don't even create proper chances to score. They had more desire than us, which is not acceptable."
