Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reacted for the first time to Jesse Lingard’s link-up with Mino Raiola.
Super agent Raiola – who also represents Paul Pogba - has been publicly critical of Manchester United in recent weeks, claiming he would never let another of his clients head to Old Trafford again.
His comments have placed fresh doubt over Pogba’s future after openly admitting he was trying to secure a move for the World Cup winning midfielder last summer.
United were also frustrated by his part in Solskjaer’s top January target Erling Braut Haaland opting for a move to Borussia Dortmund.
Eyebrows were raised when it emerged Lingard was now involved with one of the most powerful agents in world football – but Solskjaer has dismissed any concerns.
“Jesse is working for Man United,” he said. “Whoever he speaks to and gets his advice from is none of my business and Jesse knows what we expect from him.
“I have a great open relationship with Jesse - we talk freely so I don’t speak to the agents of many players.”
Lingard has struggled for form under Solskjaer – failing to register a goal or assist in the Premier League in 2019.
It has seen him dropped by England – and in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi final defeat to Manchester City he faced fierce criticism from fans.
But Solskjaer has praised the midfielder’s attitude after making himself available, despite suffering from illness.
He was substituted at half-time and has now been ruled out of Saturday’s clash with Norwich.
“He is one that put himself up for selection, he wasn’t feeling great, but we were down to the barre bones,” said United’s manager.
“Jesse got a reaction from that didn’t feel very well at half-time and he hasn’t been in since so he got a bad reaction.
“Fair play for putting himself up, but then unfortunately he got worse.”
Solskjaer admits he wants to see more of the same from United players, adding: “That’s the culture that we’re working towards, that we have players who always put the team in front of themselves.
“For me I’m in a process of building a squad with the right culture and I’m still not finished with that.”
