Ralf Rangnick has flatly denied claims that he put together a dossier for Erik ten Hag, calling certain Manchester United players ‘unprofessional’.

The interim boss, who will make way for the incoming Dutchman at the end of the season, was reported to have passed on less than flattering information about the squad to his successor.

But the 63-year-old told Sky Sports: ‘I never said anything to anybody criticising the attitude of the players as being unprofessional or selfish.

‘This is not true, I will always protect my players. I have never realised any issues of them being unprofessional or selfish.’

United are battling to finish in the top four this season after a hugely underwhelming campaign that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked and replaced by Rangnick on an interim basis.

Ten Hag will take over next term and is no doubt going to pick his brain for information about the playing group.

Rangnick is happy to help in this regard and added: ‘I’ve been talking to the board quite regularly and obviously we were also exchanging our impressions of the current situation.

‘For me it’s important, together with Erik, together with the scouting department, we can build a new squad, a new group of players with quality and mentality that Erik, together with his coaching staff, will develop and lead this club into a range where supporters will want to see Manchester United.

Despite denying the existence of a dossier, Rangnick is excited to help the Dutchman find his feet.

He added: ‘I’m definitely looking forward to that. I definitely think it would make sense (passing on information).

‘Erik is the manager next season and if he would like to get my opinion or hear something about how I assess the current situation, I’m more than happy to speak with him.’

United have come in for huge criticism this season and a number of their top stars simply have not performed as expected.

The likes of Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford have not been operating at anywhere near their best and a clear-out is expected in the summer.

United have four games remaining, starting with a tough clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

They are six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal having played a game more so hopes of qualifying for next year’s Champions League are extremely slim.