Ralf Rangnick comments proves Manchester United surrender to player power post-Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United have been on a bit of a rollercoaster since Ralf Rangnick took charge of the club in November.

Fans and players had to adjust to his tactical approach but they've also had to get used to his personality, which is very different compared to what we saw under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Over recent weeks, there has been an unsettling trend of players trying to stamp their authority by going against what the manager has said in press conferences.

First up was Anthony Martial. It was well documented the player wanted to leave Old Trafford in the January transfer window, but while he was still contracted at the club, he had to remain professional.

But after the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, Rangnick dropped a bombshell to claim the 26-year-old didn't want to be part of the matchday squad.

“He didn't want to be in the squad. He would have been in the squad normally, but he didn't want to and that was the reason why he didn't travel with us,” he said.

Hours later, Martial then categorically tried to deny this happened in an Instagram post, to which he said: "I will never refuse to play a match for Man United."

A similar incident has now happened with Jesse Lingard, who wanted to leave United as he simply hasn't been getting the game time he needs to make the 2022 World Cup.

In the pre-match briefing before the FA Cup fourth-round clash with Middlesbrough, Rangnick claimed that Lingard had requested some time off in order to get his head right after seeing a move to Newcastle collapse.

He said: "Jesse asked me and the club if he could have a couple of days off just to clear up his mind. He will be back in the group I suppose next Monday and part of the squad again."

But later on in the evening, Lingard went to