Rangnick at loggerheads with Murtough after messy Lingard debacle
Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick insists he was not responsible for Jesse Lingard taking an additional break that saw him miss the shock FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.
Lingard was not in the squad on Friday night and Rangnick initially claimed it was down to the England man. The interim United boss claims the midfielder changed his mind over leaving the club and said: “Jesse asked me and the club if we could give him a couple of days off just to clear up his mind.
“He will be back in the group next Monday. Back for training and then be part of the regular squad again.”
But Lingard immediately denied than on Twitter on Thursday and said he was ready to play.
Lingard instead claimed the club “advised him” to take time out. Sources have suggested United’s football director John Murtough spoke to Lingard and suggested he step away.
Rangnick though was clear on Friday night that it was not his decision to remove Lingard from the squad.
Edinson Cavani was also missing after being given additional time off after international duty.
Asked if he regrets those decisions, the United boss said: “No, because he played for Uruguay on Wednesday.
“With the jet lag and the travel arrangements, I don’t think it would have made sense. He would not have been in the squad anyway.
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
“And with regard to Jesse. I told you what my information was and my knowledge was, and of course I would have loved to have Jesse in the squad.
“We were one outfield player less on the team sheet today, so why should I have allowed him to have four or five days off?
“I would have loved to have had him in the squad and be in the squad, but it was not the case and therefore it doesn’t make sense to speak about players who were not available.”
Jadon Sancho had put United into a deserved lead after Cristiano Ronaldo uncharacteristically missed a penalty. But their continued profligacy in front of goal gave the visitors a chance to claw their way back.
Matt Crooks, a former United youth player and lifelong fan, levelled in the second half – a controversial goal given Duncan Watmore handled before he crossed. Bruno Fernandes then somehow hit the post when he looked certain to score.
The match ended 1-1 and remained so after extra-time, with United striker Anthony Elanga’s missed penalty eventually sealing Boro an 8-7 shoot-out win.
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Wilder delight at Old Trafford win
United’s exit means they now only have an outside chance of ending their five-year wait for a trophy with the Champions League their only route to silverware.
As for Boro, manager Wilder is delighted to be in Sunday’s fifth-round draw after a night of grit and drama.
“The FA Cup’s alive and kicking, especially in Middlesbrough tonight,” he said. “The scenes at the end. I spoke to the players about making memories.
“We were up against world-class players and rode our luck at times. But we showed plenty of spirit and took one of our opportunities.”
Asked about the controversial decision to award Crooks’ goal, Wilder told ITV: “I thought straight away it was handball.
“My initial reaction was that it was going to be chalked off and I was delighted that it wasn’t.”
READ MORE: Man Utd ‘have to break bank’ for ‘phenomenal’ star who will move this summer, says Merson
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