Ralf Rangnick's choice to take over as coach of the Austrian national team has been questioned by Gary Neville.

Following his appointment as interim manager at Manchester United in December, the 63-year-old is expected to take on a consulting role with the club starting in July. United confirmed the news on Friday lunchtime, with Rangnick insisting that his new position in Austria will not affect his position as a consultant.

In a statement on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville reacted to the revelation by saying: "How many times a week does Manchester United's Sporting Director or consultant fly to Vienna to scout for Austrian players? After that, do you select them for the national team?"

"He'll have to watch players all week before flying to Austria to train them for two weeks in September, October, November, and March. The Austrian national team has a lot of pride, a beautiful country, and some outstanding players. Consequently, you're wondering what's going on with the Manchester United counseling assistance.

"What is the order of importance? There's a stalemate going on here.

Neville further on his opinion about how Rangnick's dual job will operate, saying: "That's not what I see. Because you are a national team manager, and I have worked under national team managers, I don't see how that can work. A national team manager has to be present week in and week out, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday; he can't be here at Old Trafford every week to watch an Austrian player play.

Ralf Rangnick makes an admissions on Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United.

"In the event that what you're saying is correct, I don't see how that will work. Maybe (it's a compromise), but it's a muddle, and Manchester United can't afford to have distractions at this point in time. They can't afford to have a terrible communications plan around the idea that Ralf Rangnick is our football adviser, but he's been spotted watching German football three times a month and coaching the Austrian team twice a month, and it's a problem.

"That's not going to work because people are going to say things like 'wait a minute, who's in the director's box?'" What exactly is Darren Fletcher up to? What exactly is John Murtough up to? What exactly is Ralf Rangnick doing when he isn't cheering for an Austrian player?

"I don't believe they are in a position to do so at this time." The fact that everyone is laser-focused, that there are clear lines, that they are staying in their lines, understanding their jobs, and actually expressing that to a fan base, this is a true difference, and this is different than it has been for the past 10 years."