Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has taken to social media on Thursday evening, to reject the claims of manager Ralf Rangnick that he requested time away from the club, to clear his head.
For those not aware, interim Red Devils boss Rangnick was drawn on Lingard’s situation earlier today, ahead of the club’s upcoming FA Cup showdown with Middlesbrough.
This of course comes after the English international – amid intense interest – failed to secure a move away from Old Trafford in January, despite majorly struggling for game-time over the opening half of the campaign.
Rangnick, in turn, first went on to confirm that Lingard would not be part of his matchday squad to face off against Boro on Friday night.
From here, though, the German suggested that this came owing to a decision made by the midfielder himself, amid the claim that Lingard had requested a leave of absence, in an attempt to ‘clear his mind’:
Ralf Rangnick says Jesse Lingard asked for a couple of days to ‘clear his mind’ and will miss Man Utd’s game against Middlesbrough tomorrow.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 3, 2022
‘Headspace is clear’
But, as alluded to above, Lingard has since hit back.
Taking to social media on Thursday evening, the 29-year-old revealed that, in fact, it was those in a position at Manchester United who advised him to spend some time away from the club.
Lingard himself, though, remains in a ‘clear’ frame of mind, ready to take to the pitch and ‘give 100 percent’ once called upon:
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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