Jesse Lingard hits back at Ralf Rangnick claim over time off

Jesse Lingard has hit back at Ralf Rangnick's claim that he requested time off to help clear his head after seeing a January move blocked by Manchester United.

The wantaway 29-year-old attacking midfielder is out of contract this summer and has been the subject of widespread speculation.

Newcastle, West Ham - where he excelled on loan last season - and Tottenham were among the suitors, but the club decided to keep Lingard until the end of the season.

Rangnick revealed the frustrated England international has since been granted a short leave of absence and will miss Friday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Middlesbrough.

But Lingard says it was the club's decision to grant him time away and that he is ready to play if called upon.

He said on Twitter: "The club advised me to have time off due to personal reasons!

"But my headspace is clear and I'll always be professional when called upon and give 100 per cent."

The club advised me to have time off due to personal reasons! But my headspace is clear and I'll always be professional when called upon and give 100 percent

The interim United boss had earlier said: "He asked me and the club if we could give him a couple of days off just to clear up his mind.

"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."

Rangnick revealed that the absence Mason Greenwood was partly behind the decision to keep Lingard for the rest of the campaign.

"Three weeks ago Jesse didn't want to leave," Rangnick said. "Then he changed his mind.

"I had a chat with him some 10 days ago and I could fully understand why he wanted to leave to get game time for his future, also for the World Cup.

"I said to him at the time in case he finds a club