Gary Neville’s revised Man Utd target after Ralf Rangnick appointment

Gary Neville has been forced to adjust his expectations for Manchester United’s season after Ralf Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the Old Trafford dugout

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Rangnick reflects on first win as Man Utd manager

Gary Neville has set Ralf Rangnick a “sensible” target as the newly-appointed manager looks to redeem Manchester United ‘s season.

Rangnick has taken over as interim boss on a short-term deal until next summer and made an instant impact as United beat Crystal Palace in his first game on Sunday.

The much-needed victory lifted the Red Devils to sixth in the Premier League table, three points behind fourth-placed West Ham and coveted Champions League qualification.

Neville believes finishing in the top four would represent a successful season after United’s torrid form under sacked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, the Old Trafford legend had much loftier ambitions for his former club at the start of the season, when he tipped them to compete for the league.

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Discussing Cristiano Ronaldo’s spectacular return in late August, Neville predicted United could push Chelsea and Manchester City all the way in the title race.

“I made the prediction that it would be Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United [as the top three] – I’m not going to change that because of the signing of Ronaldo,” he told Sky Sports.

“I’m going to stick with that because I don’t think the Ronaldo signing makes them a better team than Chelsea, who are the Champions League winners, and Manchester City who were 20 points clear [last season].

“Absolutely it brings them (United) closer to the title. Do I think it’ll win them the title? No I don’t. But now I am more excited about Manchester United challenging for the title than I was maybe five or six days ago.”

Speaking one month later in September, Neville doubled down on his enthusiasm about United and backed them to go close in the Premier League and Champions League.

The former England defender told Sky Sports : “Manchester United, with the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, are going to be right in there amongst it.”

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United subsequently endured a disastrous run of five defeats in seven league games, with the 4-1 humiliation at Watford proving the last straw for Solskjaer.

Rangnick took the reins after Michael Carrick’s brief caretaker spell and Neville has had to tone down his target.

“I think if you are being sensible then top four is the target,” he told Sky Sports, per Metro. “What has happened already this season means they cannot win the league. I don’t think they are good enough anyway.

“But I think they can certainly have a good season and finish in the top four.”