Ralf Rangnick says Manchester United 'need to be realistic' about Champions League talk

Red Devils take on Chelsea on Thursday knowing that their top-four hopes are all but over

Manchester United's interim manager Ralf Rangnick has seen his side lose to Liverpool and Arsenal in their last two matches. AFP

Ralf Rangnick says Manchester United "need to be realistic" about their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

Back-to-back away defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal have all but ended United's slim hopes of playing in European club football's premier competition next season.

They sit in sixth place, six points behind the Gunners having played a game more than Mikel Arteta's side, meaning that new manager Erik ten Hag will be playing in the Europa League next season, at best.

United face third-place Chelsea at Old Trafford in Thursday's rearranged game having been further hit by the news Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho have joined the Red Devils’ lengthy list of absentees.

“I don’t think it makes sense now to still speak and speculate about the Champions League,” interim manager Rangnick said. “We need to be realistic.

“Even if we win all four games, it’s still not in our own hands. But what is in our own hands is the way that we play, the level of performance.

“Even for the next season it’s important to finish this season on the best possible note.”

Asked how failing to qualify for the Champions League will impact on United’s summer transfer business, he added: “Of course it would be better if we play Champions League next season, but this also affects other clubs. This is not a problem that only Manchester United has.

Arsenal 3 Manchester United 1: player ratings

ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 7 – In one of his strangest performances of the season, Ramsdale looked poor for United’s opening goal, gave the ball away regularly and yet still pulled off three or four elite saves. Reuters

Nuno Tavares 7 – Was positioned well for the opening goal but struggled with the pace of Elanga all day, and also showed a degree of laziness in giving away the penalty. AFP

Gabriel Magalhaes 6 – Lost Ronaldo for United’s goal and was a bit suspect over the top but ultimately cut out a string of chances from the visitors. Getty

Ben White 7 – Consistent with his decision making, great with his timing and an all-around classy defensive performance. AFP

Cedric Soares 6 – Although he was slow and clumsy in possession, he did manage to disrupt Sancho on several occasions. Action Images

Granit Xhaka 7 – After a commanding midfield performance with a sloppy yellow card throw in there for good measure, the Swiss star scored an absolute belter to seal the win. AP

Mohamed Elneny 7 – In the absence of Partey, we saw Elneny thrive with an impressive midfield outing full of assured passing. EPA

Emile Smith Rowe 5 – Was never really in the game and was frequently boxed out by Rangnick’s men. Reuters

Martin Odegaard 8 – A Man of the Match display was defined by brilliant passing, strong composure and great imagination in front of goal. AP

Bukayo Saka 8 – It was another top class showing from Saka as his link-up play was matched by a lovely finish to make it 2-0. Getty

Eddie Nketiah 7 – Carried the ball really well, forced a few good saves, had great instincts in possession and held it up with ease. AFP

SUBS: Gabriel Martinelli 6 – Held the ball up well and got around effectively enough given that he wasn’t on the pitch from the start. AFP

Rob Holding N/A – Was emphatic upon being introduced and cleaned up every available loose ball that came his way. AFP

Takehiro Tomiyasu N/A – Charged forward at every available opportunity during his brief cameo. AP

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 7 - Got his hand to the shot before the first goal. Important first half stops. Went the wrong way on Arsenal’s penalty. Conceded nine goals in the last three games, but he’s not the problem. EPA

Alex Telles 4 - Crazy first half. Didn’t anticipate the ball correctly for Arsenal’s early opener. Overhit a 16th minute cross. Fouled to give a penalty away. Too many mistakes and such mistakes mean United are six points behind fourth with Champions League looking unlikely next season. PA

Raphael Varane 5 - At fault for the first goal – and another early one as he didn’t clear the ball as it came over before Tavares’ strike. That set the mood for the game. Again. Needs a run in the team where he stays injury free. Getty

Victor Lindelof 6 - Busy afternoon for the Swede – and for VAR. He wasn’t as bad as those around him, which is where the low bar is with Manchester United right now. Booked. AFP

Diogo Dalot 5 - Poor defending yet much better attacking. Hit the crossbar and the post. Can be fantastic going forward but maddening when defending. Reuters

Scott McTominay 6 - Sent a late ball to Ronaldo, which the Portuguese didn’t reach. Won United’s penalty. Away end sang his name after a couple of strong tackles. EPA

Nemanja Matic 6 - Chosen with McTominay in a midfield Ralf Rangnick hoped would be more solid. Excellent cross for Ronaldo soon after Arsenal’s second which led to United’s only goal. Getty

Bruno Fernandes 4 - Involved, but with little positive effect. Chipped a ball towards goal after 10. Gave the ball away before Arsenal’s third goal. Struck a penalty against the post. Booked. Bad day. Taken off for Mata. Needs to take his chances – and not just the penalties. Moans too much. Getty

Anthony Elanga 6 - Lively. Went on long runs in some of United’s better moments, but the end product was weak from his best chance. An effort saw his shot turned around the post. Brought down but no penalty given in second half. AFP

Jadon Sancho 7 - Troubled Cedric and saw a lot of the ball. Needed to do better against Arsenal’s full-back. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo 8 - United’s biggest threat in the first half. Shot over on 19. Scored an excellent goal to make it 1-2 after 34. Had a goal narrowly ruled offside. Booked near the end. PA

SUBS: Marcus Rashford 5 - On for Matic after 77. At some point he has to find form again, but it’s hard when he’s only coming off the bench when United are losing. Which is most weeks. Reuters

Jesse Lingard 5 - On for Elanga after 77. He’s counting down on his United career. PA

Juan Mata 5 - On for Fernandes after 84 and limited impact as United slipped to yet another defeat. EPA

“The renewal of the contract of Bruno [Fernandes] showed that it’s still possible – this club is an attractive club and with a new manager.

“With a new approach with a new manager and the way he wants to play, this is still a massively interesting club.

“I am looking forward to helping both Erik and the club, and everyone at the club, to get the best and to change the whole approach again next season so that Manchester United can be a top club again.”

Midfielder Paul Pogba, striker Edinson Cavani and left-back Luke Shaw remain absent against Chelsea, so too does midfielder Fred after a negative reaction after returning to training.

Full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also a doubt for the match..

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has insisted he will put a competitive Chelsea team on the pitch next season irrespective of who takes over as the club's new owners.

Toni Rudiger will leave Chelsea this summer, with Real Madrid poised to confirm the Germany defender’s switch.

Chelsea 1 West Ham 0: player ratings

CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 6: Both goalkeepers were spectators in a lacklustre first half. More of the same in the second half for the Senagalese bar one double save from Yarmolenko that arrived before linesman’s flag went up. PA

Trevoh Chalobah - 6: Late replacement for Andreas Christensen at back and lucky not to be punished in first 20 minutes after being caught dawdling on ball by Benrahma. Had shot saved by Fabianksi just before hour mark. Getty

Thiago Silva - 7: Even usually reliable Brazilian gifted ball to West Ham in first half as Chelsea’s recent defensive wobbles continued. Not really troubled for rest of match, though, with West Ham offering little threat. Getty

Cesar Azpilicueta - 5: Caught in possession, guilty of passing ball straight to opposition and saw weak shot easily blocked in poor start to game by Spaniard. Better after break as Chelsea improved as a whole. Reuters

Marcos Alonso - 7: One ball just before break that Spaniard punted out for goal-kick summed up Chelsea’s first-half efforts going forward. Booked in second half for elbow into back of Soucek’s head. Persevered with runs down left and supplied cross for winner. Reuters

Jorginho - 4: Back in starting XI after missing Arsenal game and helped side dominate possession in first 45 but Italian, and team as whole, guilty of not moving ball around quick enough. Dreadful late penalty hit low and straight into hands of Fabianski. Getty

N’Golo Kante - 7: Drilled game’s first shot on goal wide of target and was home team’s liveliest player in first half, which isn’t saying much. Then had game’s first shot on target – albeit a deflected one straight at goalkeeper - after 57 minutes. AFP

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 5: Decision making and final ball sadly lacking with Chelsea crying out for some midfield creativity. EPA

Mason Mount 6: Strangely subdued performance from England attacker and little impact until 70th minute shot was blocked by Dawson. Curled shot just over bar minutes after Pulisic goal. Getty

Timo Werner - 6: German buzzed around without any cutting edge. Had one shot that looked goal-bound until blocked at start of second half but then should have done better with two other efforts – one hit into side-netting, one straight at goalkeeper on the stretch. EPA

Kai Havertz - 3: Forgot he was playing in first half when his contribution and impact was non-existent. Little improvement after break in what was really disappointing showing from German. EPA

SUBS: Hakim Ziyech – (On for Loftus-Cheek 75’) 6: Drilled shot wide as Chelsea substitutes provided much-needed spark. Getty

Romelu Lukaku – (On for Havertz 75’) 6: Hauled to ground by Dawson for late penalty only for Jorginho to fluff his lines. AFP

Christian Pulisic – (On for Werner 75’) 7: Grabbed unlikely winner minutes after Jorginho penalty miss. AFP

WEST HAM RATINGS: Lukasz Fabianski - 7: Enjoyed quiet afternoon in sunshine in first half as neither side managed shot on target. Finally called into action in second half with solid rather than spectacular stops. Easiest penalty save he’ll ever make from Jorginho’s powder-puff effort. No chance with goal. Reuters

Ben Johnson - 7: Hammers’ patched-up defence coped easily with the home attack until late in game when Chelsea pressure, combined with Dawson red card, meant Hammers were finally opened up. AFP

Craig Dawson - 6: Last centre-half standing for injury-hit Hammers. Brilliant flying challenge on Werner volley early just after break and another important block on Mount’s shot later in half. Had been immaculate until giving away late penalty for fouling Lukaku when he was then sent-off after VAR referral. AFP

Aaron Cresswell - 7: Great recovery challenge after slipping on edge of box in first half and no problems defensively, one good block after break on Kante strike. No sign of his trademark balls into opposition box. EPA

Vladimir Coufal - 5: Czech full-back played his part in West Ham’s resolute and well-organised defensive performance that probably deserved a point. AFP

Tomas Soucek - 5: No chance to show his aerial prowess in home penalty area and should have done better with weak shot that was easily blocked after 56 minutes. EPA

Mark Noble - 7: Only second start of season for club captain. Veteran was neat, tidy and held his own against Kante and Jorginho in middle of park here before being replaced just after hour mark. Getty

Arthur Masuaku - 7: Scored a freak late winner in the reverse fixture but no opportunity to repeat that here but impressive defensive work. AP

Said Benrahma - 7: Pressured West Ham defence well early on robbing both Azpilicueta and Chalobah of the ball. Good workrate but no sniff on goal for Algerian. Getty

Pablo Fornals - 6: One decent ball through to Yarmolenko in first half but Spaniard failed to make any major attacking impact. Getty

Andriy Yarmolenko - 6: Hooked shot across face of goal in first half when Benrahma looked better placed to take on chance. Denied by double Mendy save although would have been ruled out for offside even if he had found way past Senegalese keeper. PA

SUBS: Declan Rice – (On for Noble 62’) 5: Left on bench with Thursday’s Europa League semi-final in mind and couldn’t stop Pulisic scoring late winner. Getty

Jarrod Bowen – (On for Yarmolenko 73’) 5: No chance to make mark. Reuters

Manuel Lanzini – (On for Benrahma 78’) N/A. EPA

The 29-year-old will quit Stamford Bridge on a free transfer alongside fellow defender Andreas Christensen, who is on the move to Barcelona.

Asked about Germany international Rudiger's decision to leave, Tuchel said: "I don't think anybody likes it. He gives everybody confidence in the dressing room.

"He is a unique character and plays on an outstanding level. He sometimes takes the focus towards him, he loves responsibility.

"Nobody likes this decision but we have to accept it. Like it or not there will be life at Chelsea after Toni. It is also the most important thing for us that it ends like it started, on the highest level."

Asked about the possible financial constraints after Roman Abramovich's time as club owner comes to an end, Tuchel added: "It is my job [to deal with it]. No matter how the situation is solved and how active we can be in the transfer market, at the end we will dig in and we will try to squeeze out everything from the squad that we have."