We decided to keep Jesse until the end of the season – Rangnick

’s contract with

expires this summer the player is reportedly unwilling to extend his stay at Old Trafford.

Lingard was highly sought-after by Premier League clubs

and

, however, the Englishman was denied a move away from Man Utd, due to the Red Devils being one man short following

’s arrest with the accusations of sexual assault and threats to kill.

Man Utd confirmed earlier this week that Greenwood will not train or play for the club

"until further notice"

.

United’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick has now confirmed that the 29-year-old will not be leaving Old Trafford at least until the end of the season.

"Three weeks ago, Jesse didn't want to leave, then he changed his mind,"

Rangnick said.

"I had a chat with him 10 days ago and could fully understand why he wanted to leave for game time, for his future and also for the World Cup.

"I said in case he found a club he wanted to play for and also found a solution with our club, I would allow him to leave. But obviously with all the developments in the last days, things changed a little, and we also had no agreement with any other club.

"So at one stage we had to take a final decision with the board, and we decided to keep Jesse until the end of the season."

Quizzed on whether Greenwood’s arrest played any part in Lingard’s failed move, Rangnick added:

"In a way, yes, but in the end the board told me they couldn't find an agreement with those clubs interested in him, so with the window closing on Monday evening, in the afternoon the board said they would rather he stayed.

"For me it was a decision I could fully understand and accept. It was two things, we had the problem with Mason Greenwood, being without a player for the time being who has played regularly, and then on the other hand the club couldn't find an agreement with any other club."

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