Ralf Rangnick hits back at Jesse Lingard after Manchester United’s defeat to Middlesbrough

Ralf Rangnick has hit back at Jesse Lingard’s claims that it was the club’s decision for him to take time off by insisting he would have loved to have had the midfielder available for the FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.

Lingard was not named in United’s squad for Friday’s penalty shooutout loss to the Championship side.

Rangnick claimed in his pre-match press conference that Lingard had asked for time off after his failure to get a move away from United on deadline day but the England international denied those claims on Twitter, saying it was the club’s decision.

‘The club advised me to have time off due to personal reasons!’ said Lingard.

‘But my headspace is clear and I’ll always be professional when called upon and give 100 percent.’

Despite missing several chances in the first half to finish the tie, United lacked attacking options in extra-time as Jadon Sancho sustained a hamstring injury and Cristiano Ronaldo appeared fatigued.

And Rangnick has hit back at Lingard’s claims that he was available, insisting he would have selected the midfielder if that was the case.

‘With Jesse, I told you what my information was and my knowledge was, and of course, I would have loved to have had Jesse in the squad,’ said Rangnick.

‘We were one outfield player less on the teamsheet today, so why would I have allowed him to have four or five days off? ‘I would have loved to have had him in the squad but it was not the case and therefore, it doesn’t make sense to speak about players who were not available.’

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