Jesse Lingard given time off and will miss Middlesbrough tie, explains Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick
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Published 03/02/2022 at 16:00 GMT
Manchester United and England forward Jesse Lingard asked Ralf Rangnick for time off following his failure to leave the club in the January transfer window despite interest in the playmaker from various clubs. Club boss Ralf Rangnick gave him the go-ahead to miss the next couple of days and will not face Middlsbrough this Friday.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Jesse Lingard of Manchester United looks on before the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on January 10, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offs
Image credit: Eurosport
Ralf Rangnick has confirmed that Jesse Lingard will not play in Manchester United’s FA Cup game against Middlesbrough on Friday.
The England international has been given time off after failing to leave the club in the January transfer window, despite rumoured interest from Newcastle and West Ham, amongst others.
The 29-year-old has a contract that ends at the season’s end and he is able to negotiate a free transfer move abroad already.
The German interim boss explained that the club wanted to keep Lingard for two reasons: one, there was no suitable offer and two, the club face a lengthy spell without Mason Greenwood following his arrest on suspicion of a number of offences.
Rangnick said: “Two things. One, we had a problem with Mason Greenwood and being without a player for the time being.
“Two, the club couldn’t find an agreement with another club.”
Rangnick explained Lingard’s absence, saying: “He asked me and the club if we could give him a couple of days off just to clear up his mind and he will be back in the group, I suppose, next Monday, back for training and then be a regular part of the whole squad again.”
One player who could feature is United midfielder Paul Pogba, who also appears set to run down the remaining months of his Old Trafford contract after three months away due to a thigh injury.
“Paul will be part of the group,” Rangnick said. “He might even be in the starting XI. There are still a couple of (other) players missing out.”
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