Mason Greenwood’s suspension at Manchester United played a role in the club’s decision to keep Jesse Lingard until the end of the season, United football coach Ralph Rangnick said today.
Greenwood was released on bail yesterday after police questioned him on suspicion of assaulting and raping a woman, and United said the 20-year-old striker “will not train or play for the club until further notice”.
Lingard wanted to leave United before the end of the January transfer window, and Newcastle and West Ham were reportedly interested in him. However, Rangnick said that the United management has changed its attitude towards Lingard.
“The club’s management informed me on Monday afternoon that they want Lingard to stay. “For me, it was a decision that I can fully understand and accept,” Rangnick said.
“So there were two things in question. “One is that we obviously had problems with Mason Greenwood, and the other is that the club could not reach an agreement with any other club,” he added.
Rangnick stated that Lingard asked for a few days off “to clear his head” and that he would therefore miss tomorrow’s match against Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Edinson Cavani will also miss the match after receiving an extended break after playing for Uruguay in the World Cup qualifiers, but Paul Pogba could start the match after recovering from injury.
The French footballer has been off the field since November.
