Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has hit out at Jesse Lingard in the wake of his side's failure to beat Middlesbrough on Friday night. The Red Devils were dumped out of the FA Cup after a tense penalty shootout. And Rangnick was far from happy after the game.
On Friday, Rangnick claimed that Lingard has asked for some time off.
But the England international then hit out at his manager on social media, with the playmaker insisting that wasn't the case.
"The club advised me to have time off due to personal reasons!” said the 29-year-old, who was wanted by Newcastle and West Ham in the January transfer window.
“But my headspace is clear and I’ll always be professional when called upon and give 100 percent.”
United were without Lingard for their match with Boro, with the Red Devils losing in the shootout after Jadon Sancho and Matt Crooks had exchanged blows.
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"Incredibly disappointed, we should have won and killed off the game in the first half,” he said.
“Crossbar, post, missed penalty and numerous chances. It should have been 2-0 or 3-0.
“We conceded a goal which I don't understand why it stood. He controlled it with his hand.
"In the moment when they scored, it was clear that VAR would not allow this goal to stand. We were not well positioned in that moment, too open and allowed them the counter, we should have won the game.
"Anthony Elanga, anyone can imagine how he us, he is shattered and absolutely disappointed. It was the eighth penalty which had all converted."
Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick consoles Anthony Elanga after Middlesbrough defeat (Image: GETTY)
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Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder, meanwhile, was jubilant after the game.
"We are delighted, the opposition will be wondering how they did not progress, it is the magic of the cup, we rode our luck, took our chances and took it to a shootout,” he said.
"You can't do anything when it goes to penalties, you just hope they are positive and they took a fabulous approach. You give yourself an opportunity to witness scenes like tonight, 10,000 fans coming down the road and going away happy.
"Dean Henderson is a good goalkeeper, I know he is about and saved a few penalties when we worked together but a fabulous night for the football club and why fans around the world enjoy the FA Cup.
"You cannot get any better than winning at Old Trafford on a Friday night."