Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has given a refreshingly honest admission about why he did not bring on Jesse Lingard during his side’s 3-0 win over Brentford.
The game was United’s last at Old Trafford this season. Their final two games are away at Brighton and Crystal Palace.
In what has been a brutally disappointing season, the Brentford victory at least provided Red Devils fans with a small amount of relief. Goals from Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane meant that Rangnick’s side played out the final minutes with a degree of comfort.
Several players were given what is expected to be their final appearances in a United shirt at Old Trafford. Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic both started and put in accomplished performances. Edinson Cavani, meanwhile, came off the bench.
The contracts of all three players expire in the summer. Matic has already confirmed he will be leaving the club. Spanish outlet Sport have reported that Mata is also set to leave Old Trafford.
Jesse Lingard’s brother hits out at Manchester United for not playing him
Jesse Lingard will also see his contract expire in the summer, but Ralf Rangnick did not bring him on in the closing stages. Instead, the 29-year-old watched from the bench.
After the game, his brother, Louie Scott, furiously took to Instagram to condemn the interim manager.
He wrote: “20 years of blood, sweat, and tears. Four domestic trophies, three cup final goals. Not even a farewell. No wonder it’s Conference League next year.
“Attacking players for celebrations when the club’s being sold to the Super League – ok. Class of 92, Busby Babes? You’re ran by people who don’t even know the offside trap.
“Classless and the fans need to realise. Goodnight, Godbless! Tarar. Been there since nine years of age and didn’t even get a send-off!! Well done, bro, your family are proud.”
Rangnick explains why he didn’t bring Lingard on
Speaking ahead of United’s trip to Brighton, Ralf Rangnick clarified his decision not to bring on Jesse Lingard.
He explained: “I think in the last couple of weeks in my tenure, he has played far more games than he used to before I came. That’s to start with.
“On game day against Chelsea, he contacted me in the hotel and asked me to release from the game, and also release him from the training session the following day, two days after the Chelsea game, for personal, family reasons. I also allowed him to do that.
“This was also the reason, with only three subs, I had to take a decision between bringing on Edinson Cavani or Jesse Lingard. Or even young Alejandro Garnacho, who I also would have loved to bring on and give him a chance after being 3-0 up.
“Had I not brought on Cavani, someone else would have posted that it was classless not to bring on Edinson Cavani. Or somebody else would have posted, ‘Why did the manager not bring on Alejandro Garnacho?'”
Featured Image Credit: Getty
