Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has stated that his headspace is clear after Rangnick claims he needed time.
Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has insisted that he has moved forward after Ralf Rangnick’s claim he needed some space.
The academy graduate was unable to leave during the January transfer window despite interest from clubs like Newcastle and West Ham.
Rangnick revealed Lingard is unavailable for Friday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Middlesbrough as he takes a short break after the board blocked him from leaving in January amid interest from Newcastle and West Ham.
Rangnick said at a press conference on Thursday: “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.”
Rangnick revealed the situation regarding Mason Greenwood was partly behind the decision to keep Lingard for the rest of the campaign.
Greenwood, who was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of the rape and assault of a woman, has been released on bail pending further investigation and remains suspended by United.
“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 where he would like to play for and also the club finds a solution with our club, I would let him go, I would allow him to leave.
“Obviously with all the developments we had in the last couple of days, things changed a little bit.
“On the other hand, we also had no agreement with any other club, so at one stage we had to take a final decision together with the board and we decided to rather keep Jesse until the end of the season.”
Source: Skysports
