Ralf Rangnick has hit back at Jesse Lingard’s claims that it was the club’s decision for him to take time off by saying he would have loved to have had him available for the FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.
Lingard was not named in the club’s squad for Friday’s penalty shooutout defeat to the Championship club.
Rangnick said in his pre-match press conference that Lingard had asked for time off after his failure to leave United on deadline day but the England star denied those claims on Twitter, saying it was the club’s decision.
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‘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 opportunities in the first half to finish the tie, the Red devils lacked attacking options in extra-time as Jadon Sancho sustained injury and Cristiano Ronaldo appeared fatigued.
And Rangnick has fired back at Lingard’s claims that he was available, saying 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.’
