Lingard sees Man Utd exit blocked despite Rangnick's ongoing squad concern

Jesse Lingard has had a transfer to Newcastle blocked by Manchester United.

That is despite interim manager Ralf Rangnick acknowledging that his squad is too big.

Lingard, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford in January and the Guardian report that the struggling Magpies offered to take him on loan until May.

But the 29-year-old will remain a part of Rangnick's roster after it was rejected, having started just one game under the acclaimed German coach - a dead-rubber clash with Young Boys in the Champions League.

Lingard spent the second half of last term on loan at West Ham and scored a sensational nine goals in 14 games.

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Rangnick was asked about the midfielder ahead of the Red Devils' trip to Brentford on Wednesday, having been quizzed as to why Lingard has been omitted so often.

"To me it's important that we always win the next game we play, and it's also a question of formation," the 63-year-old explained.

"Which is the best possible position for players? We have now decided to play in a 4-3-3 like we played against Aston Villa, with one holding six and two eights, with three offensive players, and there are two positions that he can play.

"But we also have some competition on those positions. Obviously, he needs to play and train on that kind of level [so] that he's an option to start. We have a big squad; maybe a little bit too big of a squad.

"And as far as I know, his contract is expiring in the summer, and the question is what will happen after that four months? Again, he's a player who can play.

"I brought him on in the last 10 minutes of the Villa game, together with Donny van de Beek, and he will probably not be available for tomorrow because he didn't train yesterday and the day before yesterday.

"He will probably also not train today, because he has an issue with his ankle. This is what I can state."

Rangnick has plenty of want-aways in his squad, recently admitting: "For me, it's about developing those players but if a player wants to leave because he feels he will not get enough game-time here with us then we can speak about that, but it's not only about what the player wants, it's also about the situation of the club.

"Two things need to come together if a player wants to leave - one thing is if he wants to leave, but on the other hand the needs of the club need to be satisfied."