Manchester United have been told that they have made a mistake by keeping hold of Jesse Lingard in the January transfer window.
MEN Sport understands that Ralf Rangnick told Lingard he was free to leave United on two separate occasions last month. Some sources claim the 29-year-old had told the club at the start of the window that he was happy to stay at Old Trafford for the remainder of the season.
Other sources dispute these claims, saying that Lingard wished to leave Manchester United after contract discussions between the club and player broke down in November.
Whichever tale of events is correct, many were shocked to hear Lingard's transfer away from United had been blocked on transfer deadline day.
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