Rangnick warns against unrealistic expectations before first Man Utd game

Ralf Rangnick has warned against the unrealistic expectation that Manchester United can challenge title-chasing Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City during his spell as interim boss.

The German's reign, which is slated to last until a permanent boss is sought by the Old Trafford hierarchy next summer, begins with the visit of Crystal Palace this afternoon.

But, having earned the opportunity to take on the United job as a result of their recent humblings at the hands of Liverpool and City, Rangnick is keen to ensure nobody gets carried away.

"I am more than optimistic, but I also have to be realistic," he said.

"Five weeks ago, our team lost 5-0 against Liverpool - and it could have been a lot more if we are honest.

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"Against City it was 2-0 - but it could also have been more.

"It was important to win the point at Chelsea but the performance? I don't know. They had 24 shots on goal and we had three.

"So right now, to say I will challenge the top Premier League managers in the next few weeks or months, is not realistic.

"Right now my focus is on Crystal Palace and then on Young Boys, then Norwich, then Brighton and then Brentford.

"The games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City will be in March and April - and that's when I will answer the question about challenging them."

The last German manager to join a Premier League side mid-season, Thomas Tuchel, ended that campaign by securing the Champions League trophy for Chelsea.

But Rangnick, who managed his compatriot as a young player before later offering him his first job in coaching, was careful not to promise that he can emulate that achievement with United.

"To do what Thomas did in four months at Chelsea was incredible," he added.

"If anyone had told Marina or Roman what would happen or they had looked into a crystal ball to see what would happen in the next four months… incredible.

"To win the Champions League, finish fourth in the league, and now be top of the league with almost the same players, is a big achievement.

"I am not sure I can say that things will develop in the same way for me at United."

Rangnick also acknowledged the similarities between his high-energy tactical approach and that of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

However, the 63-year-old admitted he cannot expect his players to suddenly become 'pressing monsters' in the early days of his reign.

Asked if he can match Klopp's 'heavy metal football', he replied: "Well my football is definitely not a slow waltz!

"Jurgen and myself have known each other since 1997. I was not his mentor - that was a coach called Wolfgang Frank - but we have always been in contact and had a good relationship with each other. We respect each other and that will continue.

"I am not that far apart from Jurgen in terms of our ideas about a style of football. That's no secret.

"But you have to be aware of what kind of players you have and where they stand.

"I cannot ask things of them that they can't deliver right now.

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"I have to take them and accept where they currently are. They are experienced and smart enough to know that.

"I cannot turn the players we have into the pressing monsters I want them to be within two, three or four weeks.

"The same happened to Jurgen when he came in the middle of the season and they finished eighth or ninth.

"Liverpool had a lot of injuries in that time - muscle injuries - because they were not used to that kind of training.

"So we have to be smart."