Ralf Rangnick's comments on Cristiano Ronaldo five years ago may come back to haunt him should he get the Manchester United interim manager role.
The MEN understands attention has turned to the 63-year-old after Paris Saint-Germain rejected United's offer to prise Mauricio Pochettino from the French club mid-season.
Rangnick has formed a stellar reputation around Europe for spotting emerging talent, having been responsible for RB Salzburg signing Sadio Mane and brought Joshua Kimmich, Naby Keita, Dayot Upamecano, and Timo Werner to RB Leipzig.
However, his comments while at the latter surrounding Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are sure to have disappointed United's talisman.
When asked whether he would sign two of the best players in the world, he responded: "It would be absurd to think that it could work with them here.
"They are both too old and too expensive."
Ronaldo has continued to get the better of Father Time in the period since, continuing to score goals at the top level and breaking records along the way.
His opening goal against Villarreal on Tuesday in the Champions League took him to five goals in five games this season in the competition, setting a new record for a player playing for an English side.
