Manchester United's miserable stars arrive at the Lowry hotel ahead of tonight's FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough after a turbulent week where Mason Greenwood was arrested and Jesse Lingard openly defied Ralf Rangnick
- Manchester United lock horns with Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round
- It gives the Red Devils a chance to turn attention back to on-pitch matters
- Paul Pogba could make a long awaited return from his thigh injury on Friday
Manchester United can finally turn their attention to matters on the pitch on Friday night after a turbulent week at Old Trafford.
Striker Mason Greenwood was arrested last Sunday for allegations of of assault, sexual assault and making threats to kill to an 18-year-old woman. He has been released on bail but United have said he will not train or play for them until further notice.
On Thursday, midfielder Jesse Lingard openly defied interim manager Ralf Rangnick after he said the 29-year-old had asked to be left out the squad for the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough.
![Cristiano Ronaldo led the way as Manchester United arrived at the Lowry hotel on Friday to prepare for the FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/04/14/53779283-10477193-image-a-27_1643986006444.jpg)
![Paul Pogba is in contention to return after injuring himself of international duty with France in November](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/04/14/53779285-10477193-image-m-26_1643985998248.jpg)
Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Paul Pogba led the way as Manchester United arrived at the Lowry hotel on Friday to prepare for the FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough
![The match is an opportunity for Ralf Rangnick to return to focusing on matters on the pitch after a turbulent week at Old Trafford](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/04/14/53779279-10477193-image-m-29_1643986096022.jpg)
The match is an opportunity for Ralf Rangnick to return to focusing on matters on the pitch after a turbulent week at Old Trafford
![Marcus Rashford was also seen with the squad and is in contention to face Middlesbrough](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/04/14/53779281-10477193-image-a-31_1643986135866.jpg)
Marcus Rashford was also seen with the squad and is in contention to face Middlesbrough
Rangnick said Lingard asked for a couple days off to 'clear his mind'. The England international had been pushing for a January move away from Old Trafford but a transfer never occurred on deadline day.
Lingard then took to Twitter to reject Rangnick's claims, saying: '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.'
And the United squad appeared to cut a frosty mood as they arrived at the Lowry on Friday afternoon to prepare for their cup tie against Championship side Middlesbrough, managed by Chris Wilder.
Paul Pogba was pictured arriving in the squad and the France international could make his long awaited return to first-team action after injuring his thigh on international duty last November.
Pogba, like Lingard, is out of contract in the summer and previewing Friday's match Rangnick drew comparisons between the two situations.
'His (Lingard’s) situation is similar to Paul Pogba’s,’ said Rangnick. ‘It's in his own interests to perform on the highest possible level in order to get as many clubs interested in him in the summer.'
![Raphael Varane pictured arriving at the Lowry](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/04/14/53778355-10477193-image-a-36_1643986223402.jpg)
![Harry Maguire was also with the United squad](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/04/14/53779407-10477193-image-m-35_1643986215245.jpg)
Centre-backs Raphael Varane (left) and Harry Maguire were also with the United squad
![Jesse Lingard this week openly defied Rangnick after the boss said he asked for time off](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/04/16/53772507-10477193-Jesse_Lingard_this_week_openly_defied_Rangnick_after_the_boss_sa-a-5_1643991978009.jpg)
Jesse Lingard this week openly defied Rangnick after the boss said he asked for time off
![Lingard took to Twitter to discredit his manager's remarks about his FA Cup absence](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/04/16/53779631-10477193-Lingard_took_to_Twitter_to_discredit_his_manager_s_remarks_about-a-4_1643991978004.jpg)
Lingard took to Twitter to discredit his manager's remarks about his FA Cup absence
Cristiano Ronaldo was also seen with the team and the Portuguese star will be looking to show he is back to full fitness after a minor thigh issue. Ronaldo was furious to have been substituted by Rangnick in the 3-1 win over Brentford in January, with the United interim boss looking to keep him fresh.
Rangnick needs United to now do their talking on the pitch. After Friday's cup tie, they then have five winnable Premier League games against Burnley, Southampton, Brighton, Leeds and Watford.
A winning run could banish, at least for the time being, United's woes as they look to cement a top four place and a spot in next season's Champions League.
But for now, attention is on the FA Cup - a competition they are among the favourites to win.
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