Manchester United team news vs Middlesbrough: No Lingard but Pogba set for return

Ralf Rangnick has said that Jesse Lingard will not be involved for Manchester United’s FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough on Friday night.

The reason being, Lingard has got a couple of days off to clear up his mind after missing out on the chance to leave United in January.

Lingard was the subject of interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United and West Ham, but the Reds kept the midfielder despite knowing his contract is due to expire in the summer.

United opted against allowing Lingard to move to another club on loan for the remainder of the season and Rangnick added that the club’s decision was partially related to Mason Greenwood’s arrest on Sunday morning. The striker was released on bail midweek but remains suspended by the club.

Rangnick gave the following response when asked why Lingard did not leave on deadline day, saying (via The Athletic): “Two things. One, we had a problem with Mason Greenwood and being without a player for the time being.

“Two, the club couldn’t find an agreement with another club.”

The German added that Lingard, an academy graduate, will not play the FA Cup match on Friday: “He asked me and the club if we could give him a couple of days off just to clear up his mind and he will be back in the group, I suppose, next Monday, back for training and then be a regular part of the whole squad again.”

However, there is some good news before the match because fans can begin to look forward to seeing Paul Pogba back on the pitch, for the first time since Rangnick’s arrival as interim manager.

“Paul will be part of the group,” the boss said. “He might even be in the starting XI. There is still a couple of players missing out.”

Eric Bailly returned from the African Cup of Nations with a swollen ankle, while Victor Lindelof spent the last week unwell. United are also unlikely to have any of their South Amercian players who had internationals during the week.

SN’s verdict

Lingard, 28, needs to grow up and respect his contract.

He should be part of the squad tomorrow and looking to make a greater impact for the second half of the season.

I wrote on deadline day how he’s in a strong position, from a negotiation point of view, and that he could get more game time than previously expected… but not if he can’t be bothered to show up.

Lingard has always been a top professional and I am surprised by this. It’s certainly out of Rangnick’s hands.

More Stories Jesse Lingard Manchester United middlesbrough Paul Pogba