Manchester United warned of morale risk after blocking Jesse Lingard to Newcastle loan

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Anton Ferdinand has told Manchester United their decision to block Jesse Lingard’s move to Newcastle could damage morale among the squad.

Lingard’s attempts to secure a loan move away from Old Trafford ultimately failed on deadline day, with the winger now remaining with United for the remainder of the season.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick had told the England international on Monday he could leave the club, having seen previous loan bids from Newcastle fail throughout the January window.

But, despite revisiting their interest, the Magpies were once again denied as United blocked the move on deadline day, with West Ham’s enquiries also being pushed back as United refused to strengthen a rival club competing for the top four.

Lingard now looks set to remain with United for the rest of the season, although his contract expires in the summer, meaning he will almost certainly leave the club regardless.

We want your views, Reds. You can become even more involved with our Man United coverage by signing up. This will unlock a whole host of things - including joining the comments and taking part in our special Q&As, where you can speak directly to our reporters about what’s happening at Old Trafford this week and beyond.

Click here to get started.

And, speaking on Sky Sports, Ferdinand believes Lingard will be embarrassed to go back to training after being told he could leave the club on deadline day.

“It’s going to affect morale,” Ferdinand said. “You don’t know what’s being said in the dressing room. He might have been told that the move was on because Rangnick has told him he can leave.

“So in his head he’s thinking he’s going, and that might be the talk among his peers in the dressing room, ‘Where you going?’ and he’s