Man Utd have claimed that their intention was always to keep Jesse Lingard at the club despite interest from other clubs in January, according to reports.
The 29-year-old is yet to start a Premier League match this season under former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or his interim replacement Ralf Rangnick.
Lingard has only started two out of 14 appearances in all competitions this campaign, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
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He enjoyed a successful loan spell at the London Stadium with West Ham last term, contributing nine goals and four assist in just 16 Premier League fixtures.
That sparked rumours that he would be leave in the summer transfer window but that never materialised with Lingard deciding he wanted to stay and fight for his place.
But his lack of appearances in the first half of the season, coupled with his contract expiring in the summer, seemed to indicate that he would leave in January.
Newcastle had been ‘pushing’ all day to take Lingard to St James’ Park on loan until the end of the season – but there were rumours earlier in the window that Man Utd were demanding a huge £12m survival bonus if the Magpies survived.
In the end it was reported that Newcastle offered a ‘£3m loan fee + £4m survival bonus’ but that Lingard had been told that ‘he will not be allowed’ to leave on deadline day.
And the Manchester Evening News insists that Man Utd have told them that ‘their original plan’ was for Lingard ‘to stay for the remainder of the season’ despite interest from Newcastle and West Ham.
The newspaper claims that Man Utd sources told them that Lingard ‘had made it clear at the start of the window he wanted to stay and believe he will be an important player for the rest of the season.’
However, the Manchester Evening News adds:
‘That has been disputed by sources who were privy to negotiations during Newcastle’s effort to sign Lingard, who insist the player informed United of his wish to leave on loan in January after discussions over a new contract ended in November.
‘There is also confusion at United’s decision-making. Club sources previously indicated the manager and the recruitment department had the right to veto transfers and interim manager Ralf Rangnick reiterated to Lingard on Monday he could leave.
‘The decision to block a loan move to a team in the relegation zone is bound to baffle until Rangnick is able to address the matter, especially as Rangnick informed Lingard on two separate occasions he was free to leave this month.’
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