RALF RANGNICK has hit back after Jesse Lingard claimed Manchester United asked him to take some time off.
The German coach insisted the 29-year-old midfielder would not be available for the FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough on Friday night.
To which Lingard tweeted: “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.”
Following the penalty shoot-out defeat to Boro, Rangnick was then quizzed on the situation regarding Lingard – who had been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford on Deadline Day.
The Man Utd boss said: “We were one outfield player less on the team sheet, so why would I have allowed him [Lingard] to have four or five days off?
“I would have loved to have had him in the squad.”
Lingard has not started a Premier League game for Man Utd since Rangnick took over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a move to West Ham, Newcastle and Tottenham.
Meanwhile, Rangnick was left devastated by United’s shock defeat to Boro in the FA Cup.
Anthony Elanga missed the crucial spot kick as Boro claimed an 8-7 shoot-out win after holding United to a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
He said: “Incredibly disappointed, we should have won and killed off the game in the first half.
“Crossbar, post, missed penalty and numerous chances. It should have been 2-0 or 3-0.
“We conceded a goal which I don’t understand why it stood. He controlled it with his hand.
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“In the moment when they scored, it was clear that VAR would not allow this goal to stand.
“We were not well positioned in that moment, too open and allowed them the counter, we should have won the game.
“Anthony Elanga, anyone can imagine how he us, he is shattered and absolutely disappointed. It was the eighth penalty which had all converted.”
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