Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick press conference ahead of FA Cup game against Middlesbrough
On Lingard: "Three weeks ago,Jesse didn't want to leave,then he changed his mind,I had a chat with him 10 days ago and I could fully understand why he wanted to leave to get game time for his future and the World Cup and I told him if he finds a club and the club find a solution with our club I would allow him to leave,but with all the developments,things changed,we also had no agreement with any other club so we had to take a final decision as the board and keep Jesse until the end of the season."
Was Greenwood a factor for Lingard staying?: "In a way, yes, but the club told me,the board told me,they couldn't find an agreement with any clubs interested in him.With the window closing Monday evening the board informed me they would rather he stay,so I could understand and accept.It was two things.We had a problem with Mason Greenwood and being without a player for the time being who hasn't played in weeks and the club not finding an agreement with another club."
On size of the squad: "As I said earlier on, the group was slightly too big,we had too many players not seeing the chance to get regular playing time,this is why I'm happy for the club. Donny, Anthony,and Amad deserve regular game time,I wish them all the best,Amad has already played and scored in his first game and I'm pretty sure Donny and Anthony will do well at Sevilla and Everton and I hope they come back."
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♦️Team news: "Yes,Paul [Pogba] will be part of the group he might even be in the starting XI,Edi Cavani will only return at the weekend,he contacted me at the weekend and asked to have two more days at home,I knew he couldn't be in starting XI with jet lag.Victor Lindelof has been ill the whole week and not training,the same is true with Jesse if we could give him a couple of days off to clear his mind.He will be back in training on Monday and part of the whole squad.Eric Bailly came back yesterday,he has some problems with his ankle and will not be part of the squad.Luke [Shaw] will be playing because Alex Telles played 90 minutes for Brazil."