Ralf Rangnick can turn Manchester United into TITLE CHALLENGERS, claims Mikael Silvestre

Ralf Rangnick has been tipped to be the man to turn Manchester United into a title challenger again by former defender Mikael Silvestre.

Rangnick has arrived at Old Trafford on a six-month deal to be the club's interim manager.

The German will then move into the boardroom as part of a consultancy role for two years.

But for Silvestre, who played for United between 1999 and 2008, should Rangnick be given the managerial reins permanently, he believes the German can transform this group into a contender for the Premier League title.

'Rangnick is good news. We know what he wants from his players, he has a plan and knows how to execute it. It's a good appointment, I'm pleased with it,' Silvestre told the Sun.

'It is smart because it gives both sides time to see if there is a match - from the club's management and Ralf's perspective.

'There is a mid-term plan and it could be the one that takes United to being title contenders. Not this season but his mission is to finish in the Champions League which is hard enough.'

Rangnick, who will be in the stands at Old Trafford to see his new players take on Arsenal on Thursday night, will be tasked with getting an immediate response to stabilise their faltering top four bid.

United head into their game with Arsenal 10th in the Premier League, six points off West Ham in fourth after the Hammers' 1-1 draw with Brighton on Wednesday.

'You have to be sensitive and consider the gap in quality and performances,' Silvestre added.

'There is enough quality in the squad to finish in the top four - that is where they should finish.'

Rangnick, 63, has been granted his work permit, allowing the German to finally begin work as United's interim manager.

Issues securing a work permit meant he could not take training this week and, although he will be at United's Premier League clash with Arsenal on Thursday night, caretaker boss Michael Carrick will be in the dugout.

Rangnick will now hold his first press conference on Friday ahead of Sunday's home match with Crystal Palace - which will be his first in charge as United manager.

He had to convince an FA panel of his managerial credentials in order to secure a work permit this week.

Rangnick flew into the UK on Monday night, ahead of stricter Covid restrictions coming into place hours later, and is believed to be staying at a Manchester hotel.

It is understood that Rangnick did not meet the FA's criteria for a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) because he had not managed a top-flight club in Europe for long enough in the last five years — either two years consecutively or three years cumulatively.

United sources argued that Rangnick had held other senior roles at RB Salzburg and Lokomotiv Moscow but, technically, he had not worked enough in this period as a manager.

His GBE needed to be approved by a three-man exceptions panel appointed by the FA, and chaired by a legal professional and two other figures with a background in football, before he could be granted a work permit by the Home Office.