Ralf Rangnick Courts Controversy with Statement on Jesse Lingard After FA Cup Exit

• Manchester United confusion over Jesse Lingard played out in public as Rangnick distanced himself from the decision to keep the star away from football action
• Lingard was not in the squad for United’s game against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup as his side lost 8-9 on penalties
• Rangnick spoke after the game, saying he wanted Lingard to have been in the squad for the clash

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick says he “would have loved” it if the England international was in the squad for the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough on Friday, February 4.

Lingard was a notable absentee from the squad as United succumbed to a shock exit in the fourth round as Boro edged them in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

Earlier in the week, Rangnick had revealed that Lingard had requested time off to clear his head after his move away from Manchester United in the January transfer window failed to materialize.

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Shortly after making the claims, however, Lingard took to social media with a contradicting statement, saying:

"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."

One outfield player less

Speaking at a press conference at the back of the FA Cup exit, the interim Man United manager distanced himself from Lingard’s extended break.

"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?” he said.

“I would have loved to have had him in the squad."

Manchester Evening News reports that it was in fact United’s football director John Murtough, who requested Lingard to take extra days off.

Edinson Cavani was also missing from the squad and reports claim the Uruguayan had asked for more time off after international duty.

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Asked whether he regretted not having Cavani in the squad, Rangnick 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.

Chelsea beat Plymouth in extra time

On Saturday, February 5, Chelsea beat Plymouth, albeit via extra time, to advance to the FA Cup fiffth round.

The Blues initially went behind as Plymouth took the lead through Macaulay Gillesphey in the first half but Ceasar Azpilicueta restored parity before the break.

With no goals in the second half, the game was forced into extra time, and Marcos Alonso sent a huge wave of relief across Stamford Bridge as he slotted home from a cutback to make it 2-1.