Jesse Lingard has hit back at suggestions that he is not available to play for Manchester United because he failed to secure a move away from the club in January.
Lingard did not leave the club in the January transfer window despite interest from West Ham and Newcastle who both attempted to sign the England international.
It was a remarkable twist in the midfielder’s future after United interim boss Ralf Rangnick gave Lingard his blessing to leave the club ahead of the window closing.
West Ham – where Lingard netted nine goals in 16 appearances last season on a loan spell – joined Newcastle in the race to sign the 29-year-old, but neither were successful in their pursuits.
United boss Rangnick then said at a press conference on Thursday that Lingard had been given a few days off to “clear his mind” and would be back in training by Monday.
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Rangnick said: "Jesse asked if we could give him a couple of days off to clear his mind. He will be back in training on Monday and part of the whole squad.”
Lingard’s frustrations will have likely only increased after watching fellow outcasts Donny van de Beek, Amad and Anthony Martial all secure temporary exits, joining Everton, Rangers and Sevilla respectively.
The German interim coach at Old Trafford then went on to clarify the club’s position on Lingard, which shifted due to no club agreement with another club and developments elsewhere in the squad.
“Three weeks ago, Jesse didn't want to leave, then he changed his mind,” Rangnick added.
“I had a chat with him 10 days ago and I could fully understand why he wanted to leave, to get game time for his future and the World Cup.
“I told him if he finds a club and the club find a solution with our club, I would allow him to leave, then with all the developments, things changed.
“We also had no agreement with any other club, so we had to take a final decision as the board and keep Jesse until the end of the season.”
Lingard took to social media on Thursday night to reject suggestions that he was not available for selection due to his failed transfer move away, as well as the idea that he'd asked for time off.
United play Middlesbrough in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup on Friday night and it appears that Lingard will not be involved in the game, but he claims that this is because of personal reasons that were agreed by the club.
Lingard wrote on his Twitter account: “The club advised me to have time off due to personal reasons!
“But my headspace is clear and I’ll always be professional when called upon and give 100 percent.”
Lingard has not started a Premier League match for the Red Devils since the New Year’s Day match against Arsenal in 2020 – over two years ago.
