Rangnick responds to 'classless' claim over lack of Lingard farewell

Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has dismissed criticism from Jesse Lingard's brother after he failed to give the midfielder an Old Trafford farewell against Brentford.

The United interim boss gave Juan Mata and Phil Jones, expected to leave this summer, one last appearance in front of the home crowd in Monday's final home match of the season.

But Lingard, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was left on the bench as Rangnick instead brought on Edinson Cavani - a decision his brother called "classless" on social media.

Responding to that criticism, Rangnick said: "To start with, in the last couple of weeks under my tenure he has played far more games than he used to.

"Secondly, on game day against Chelsea (on April 28) he asked me to release him from the game and training the following day for personal family reasons.

And this was the reason. With only three substitutes I had to take a decision between Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard, or the young (Alejandro Garnacho), who I would have loved to have brought on and given a chance to play.

I took the decision to bring on Edinson. Had I not brought on Edinson someone else might have asked if it's classless not to bring on Cavani or Garnacho. You have to take a decision and this will not be to the liking of everybody and this is part of the game."

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