Man U welcome Jesse Lingard back into squad after transfer drama

Press Association

Manchester United welcome Jesse Lingard back into squad after transfer drama

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/7/22

Manchester United remain without forward Mason Greenwood available for selection following his suspension and subsequent arrest amid allegations he raped and abused a woman.

United also didn't have midfielder Jesse Lingard for what became Friday's FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Middlesbrough after interim manager Ralf Rangnick said Lingard needed to "clear his mind" following a transfer saga that ended with the 29-year-old unable to complete a desired move to Newcastle United last month because of Greenwood's indefinite absence.

Lingard took to social media last week to claim the club advised him to temporarily step away:

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

Rangnick, meanwhile, told reporters Monday that Lingard will be back in the squad for Tuesday's Premier League match against Burnley.

"With regard to Jesse, I have a very good relationship with him," Rangnick explained, according to Rob Dawson of ESPN. "He knows I would have been willing to let him go [to Newcastle] at least until the issue with Mason [Greenwood] came up.

"There are no problems whatsoever between myself and Jesse and vice versa. I'm very happy to have him in the squad and he'll be in the squad for tomorrow night's game."

Burnley sit last in the Premier League table and may be headed toward relegation, while United are fourth and hold the last available UEFA Champions League spot. However, three different clubs are potentially one win away from leapfrogging United in the table depending on what occurs Tuesday.

Also on Monday, Nike officially dropped its sponsorship of Greenwood.

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