Jesse Lingard has hit back at Ralf Rangnick's claim that he requested time off to help clear his head after seeing a January move blocked by Manchester United.
The wantaway 29-year-old attacking midfielder is out of contract this summer and has been the subject of widespread speculation.
Newcastle, West Ham - where he excelled on loan last season - and Tottenham were among the suitors, but the club decided to keep Lingard until the end of the season.
But Lingard says it was the club's decision to grant him time away and that he is ready to play if called upon.
He said on Twitter: "The club advised me to have time off due to personal reasons!
"But my headspace is clear and I'll always be professional when called upon and give 100 per cent."
The club advised me to have time off due to personal reasons! But my headspace is clear and I'll always be professional when called upon and give 100 percent
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) February 3, 2022
The interim United boss had earlier said: "He asked me and the club if we could give him a couple of days off just to clear up his mind.
"He will be back in the group, I suppose, next Monday, back for training and then be a regular part of the whole squad again."
Rangnick claims that Lingard has been unclear on whether or not he wants to leave Old Trafford.
"Three weeks ago Jesse didn't want to leave," Rangnick said. "Then he changed his mind.
"I had a chat with him some 10 days ago and I could fully understand why he wanted to leave to get game time for his future, also for the World Cup.
"I said to him at the time in case he finds a club where he would like to play for and also the club finds a solution with our club, I would let him go, I would allow him to leave."
United will be without a number of players when Boro arrive at Old Trafford on Friday, but Rangnick has confirmed Paul Pogba is set to return from his three-month injury lay-off.
