Rio Ferdinand claims the crisis at Manchester United has only worsened since Ralf Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the dugout.
The Old Trafford legend was speaking after United were beaten 3-1 at Arsenal on Saturday afternoon to deliver what appeared to be a fatal blow to their top-four hopes. Rangnick was appointed interim manager at the end of November after Solskjaer was sacked earlier that month following a disastrous run of results.
But the humiliations have continued to come thick and fast since the German took over, with the Red Devils losing 4-0 at Liverpool on Tuesday prior to their Emirates defeat. Speaking after the loss in North London, an abject Ferdinand voiced his fears United have gone backwards under Rangnick.
"Being brutally honest, Rangnick has come in and it has got worse," the former England defender told BT Sport before ruling United out of the top-four race, adding: "Yeah, that is it for the top four. Manchester United have absolutely no chance, it's done."
While Ferdinand was hugely dejected after United's display, he preceded his criticism of Rangnick by congratulating the hosts on their victory. "First of all, credit to Arsenal," he said. "They got the job done, by no means a top performance today but they got what is needed at this point of the season, and that is three points.
"Manchester United, they had an opportunity to get back in this game, they had chances, obviously the penalty. They were there for the taking Arsenal, but Manchester United did not smell blood and big moments like those they need to learn to take."
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Ferdinand also paid tribute to Arsenal's brilliant crop of emerging talents after Bukayo Saka set up the opening goal and scored the second in his side's victory. "They epitomise everything good about Arsenal," he said of the Gunners' youngsters. "Yes, the results have been inconsistent, but the way that the play, the way the fans can really connect with them.
"If I was some of these young players, they have a fantastic chance now of getting into the top four. It is a way that engages the football club in a different way rather than going out and splashing the cash."
The result leaves United six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who also have a game in hand in the race for Champions League qualification. Tottenham are regarded as the Gunners' main competition for a top-four finish and will need to beat Brentford in Saturday's late game to leapfrog their local rivals.
