Ralf Rangnick defends not giving Jesse Lingard Manchester United send off against Brentford aftering being branded ‘classless’

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has dismissed criticism it was 'classless' not to allow Jesse Lingard an Old Trafford send-off following the victory over Brentford.

Lingard, 29, is one of several stars due to leave the Red Devils when his contract expires in June.

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Rangnick opted to give Juan Mata and Phil Jones farewell home appearances in the 3-0 victory over the Bees earlier this week, but decided to introduce Edinson Cavani with 15 minutes to go instead of Lingard.

Lingard's brother Louie Scott took to social media after the clash and hit out at both Rangnick and the club.

Warrington-born midfielder Lingard has been with United for two decades and joined the club as a seven year-old from Penketh United in 2000.

After impressing on loan for West Ham last term, he was brought back into the fold, but has started just four games all campaign.

And even with Rangnick replacing the sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, minutes were still hard to come by despite being denied a January move to both Newcastle and Norwich.

"To start with, in the last couple of weeks under my tenure he has played far more games than he used to", Rangnick said in his pre-match press conference.

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"Secondly, on game day against Chelsea [on April 28] he asked me to release him from the game and training the following day for personal family reasons.

"And this was the reason. With only three substitutes I had to take a decision between Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard, or the young [Alejandro Garnacho], who I would have loved to have brought on and given a chance to play.

"I took the decision to bring on Edinson. Had I not brought on Edinson someone else might have asked if it's classless not to bring on Cavani or Garnacho. You have to take a decision and this will not be to the liking of everybody - and this is part of the game."

Lingard could be given the nod for United's clash against Brighton on Saturday at the Amex Stadium, with Marcus Rashford ruled out, and Jadon Sancho a doubt.

Defender Eric Bailly, though, now joins Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba on the treatment table, but there is some positive news with Rangnick claiming Maguire has returned to contention.

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"Harry is back in training," Rangnick said. "He trained the whole week since the second day after the Brentford game so he will be available for tomorrow and part of the group...

"[If he starts] is a decision I have to take after training today. I don't want to tell our opponents the make-up of the team but he will definitely be part of the group."