What is the situation at Manchester United? For the second time in 2022, the club’s interim manager, Ralf Rangnick, and a free agent forward have opposing accounts of what’s going on.
Before being loaned out to Sevilla, Anthony Martial told a different explanation than Rangnick about why he missed the game at Aston Villa. Now we have conflicting stories of what happened and what is happening with Jesse Lingard, who will not play in tonight’s FA Cup 4th round match against Middlesbrough.
Lingard, as seen above, tweeted: “The club instructed me to take time off owing to personal issues.” But my mind is clear, and I will always be professional and give my all when called upon.”
Meanwhile, Rangnick stated during a press conference yesterday that Lingard had requested a break to “clear his thoughts” after the trade he desired to Newcastle United fell through on the January transfer deadline day.
So, who is telling the truth in this situation? And did we ever find out how and why he didn’t relocate to St. James’ Park?
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
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Newcastle has been widely reported as refusing to match Manchester United’s demand for a £12 million Premier League survival bonus. West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur also made bids but were turned down because they are regarded rivals in the race for the top four.
Meanwhile, it was speculated that United could have earned £20 million for Lingard during the summer transfer window.
Instead, the 29-year-old will be out of contract in the summer and the club will receive nothing if he leaves on a Bosman move. Lingard has appeared in just two games for Manchester United so far in the 2021-22 season.
Rangnick stated that Mason Greenwood’s indefinite ban influenced the club’s decision to deny Jesse Lingard’s transfer.
“Jesse didn’t want to leave three weeks ago, but he changed his mind,” Rangnick explained.
“I spoke with him 10 days ago and fully understood why he wanted to leave to get game time for his future and the World Cup, and I told him that if he found a club and the club found a solution with our club, I would let him leave.”
“The board informed me that they were unable to reach an agreement with any clubs interested in him.”
“With the window closing Monday evening, the board notified me that they preferred he stay.” We had difficulty with Mason Greenwood since we were currently without a player and the club was unable to reach an agreement with another team.”
In terms of Greenwood, you could say they have a “problem.” After reportedly raping, assaulting, and threatening to kill his fiancée, the 20-year-old England forward has been released on bond.
He will almost certainly never play for United again, as the club has removed all Greenwood goods off their website.
His absence, like Martial’s, frees up a position in the assault. Lingard, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga, and others will now have additional possibilities to carpe diem in the final third.
