Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick plays down suggestions of rift with Jesse Lingard

Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has played down suggestions of a rift between him and Jesse Lingard.

The pair contradicted each other last week as they gave differing reasons for the player’s absence for Friday’s FA Cup loss to Middlesbrough.

Rangnick had said Lingard requested some time off to “clear up his mind” after the club refused him a loan move prior to last week’s transfer deadline.

Lingard, on the other hand, said via social media that it was the club who told him to take some time out.

Rangnick tried to clear up the confusion as he spoke to media ahead of fourth-placed United’s Premier League trip to Burnley on Tuesday.

The German said: “With regard to Jesse, I have a very good relationship with him.

“He knows that I would have been willing to let him go, at least until the issue with Mason (Greenwood) came up and all the other things I think we have spoken about.

“He mentioned some personal issues but, again, we have to look forward now. There were no problems whatsoever between myself and Jesse and vice versa.

“I’m happy to have him in the squad and, as I said, he will be a member of the squad for tomorrow’s game.”

Striker Edinson Cavani will also be available after the Uruguay international sat out the Boro clash – which United lost on penalties – at his own request following his return from international duty.

Rangnick said: “They’re both available and they will both be part of the squad for tomorrow’s game at Burnley. Both are top professionals, both have been training well.”

Two players who will not be involved are Brazilian pair Fred and Alex Telles after Rangnick confirmed both had tested positive for coronavirus.

Telles missed the Middlesbrough game as he went into isolation last week,