Rangnick: Why I overlooked Lingard

United ended the home schedule in the Premier League on a high, by convincingly beating the Bees. The players then embarked on the traditional lap of appreciation in front of the fans.

Nemanja Matic, who has announced he is leaving in the summer, was afforded the opportunity to say goodbye to the home supporters as the Reds played at Old Trafford for one last time in 2021/22.

Lingard, who is out of contract at the end of the season, remained on the bench as an unused substitute as the interim manager decided to send on Fred in the 71st minute, followed by Phil Jones and Edinson Cavani in the 75th.

During Friday’s press conference to preview the trip to Brighton, Rangnick was asked why Jesse hadn’t been involved more this year.

“To start with, I think in the last couple of weeks under my tenure, he has played far more games than he used to before I came,” Ralf replied.

“Number two, on gameday against Chelsea, he contacted me in the hotel and asked me to release him from the game and release him from the training session the following day or two days after the Chelsea game for some personal, family reasons and I also allowed him to do that.

“This was also the reason that, with only three subs - unfortunately, in all the other leagues you have five subs - I had to take a decision between bringing on Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard or the young Alejandro Garnacho who I would have loved to bring on and give a chance, having been 3-0 up.

“I took the decision to bring on Edinson for the very reasons I explained to you.

“Had I not brought on Edinson Cavani, maybe someone else would have posted [on social media] it was 'classless' not to bring on Edinson Cavani or maybe someone else would have posted why didn't the manager bring on the young Alejandro Garnacho?

“With only three subs and two already done, or the first one had already been done, you have to take a decision.

“This will not be to the liking of everybody, it's also part of the game.”