Jesse Lingard has insisted his ‘headspace is clear’ after he was given some time off by the club following his planned move in January was blocked.
In his Thursday update, Coach Ralf Rangnick said the winger will not be available for Friday night’s FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough, as he was given time off to “clear up his mind”.
“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,” said Rangnick.
In a response on social media though, Lingard insisted it’s the club that asked him to take time off.
“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.”
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
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) February 3, 2022
West Ham and Newcastle had inquired about the 28-year-old and a deal was a possibility on Deadline Day, but the United board blocked the move.
According to Rangnick, the situation surrounding Mason Greenwood was one of the reasons why Lingard could not be allowed to leave.
“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.
Man United will take on Middlesborough at Old Trafford tonight as they aim to progress to the next round.
