Jesse Lingard has become the latest Manchester United player to challenge Ralf Rangnick's authority.
The midfielder, who has rejected a new deal at Old Trafford and will be free to leave in the summer, was denied a January move away.
West Ham and Newcastle were in for the Englishman but United rebuffed their advances.
It means Lingard, who is yet to start a Premier League game this term, is set for a quiet second half of the season.
He will not feature in United's FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough on Friday night with Rangnick claiming the player himself had asked for time away.
The German said: "Jesse asked me and the club if we could give him a couple of days off just to clear his mind,’ said United’s interim manager.
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"He will be back in training, I suppose, on Monday and then be a regular part of the whole squad."
Lingard, however, has been quick to challenge that version of events.
He took to social media to state that it was the club, not him, who advised that he have some time away from the group.
He said: "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 per cent."
Lingard's comments come after Anthony Martial, who secured a loan exit to Sevilla, also called out Rangnick.
The German left out the striker for the draw at Aston Villa three weeks ago.
The interim boss claimed that the Frenchman had refused to be part of the squad having already publicly stated his desire to leave Old Trafford.
Rangnick told reporters: "He [Martial] didn't want to be in the squad. He would have been in the squad normally, but he didn't want to, and that was the reason why he didn't travel with us yesterday."
United squandered a 2-0 lead at Villa Park and Martial hit back claiming he would always put his hand up for selection.
"I will never refuse to play a match for Manchester United," the 26-year-old responded.
"I've been here for seven years, and I [have] never disrespected and will never disrespect the club and the fans."
There have been several other examples of players seemingly questioning the United boss.
Luke Shaw called on Rangnick to bring "more ideas" after a lacklustre defeat against Wolves.
Cristiano Ronaldo also lamented the decision to substitute him at Brentford last month.
It serves to underline, not only the growth of player power, but also the changes at Old Trafford with such antics under Sir Alex Ferguson a rarity.
The Scot spent over two decades on the red half of Manchester before retiring in 2013.
His reign was dominated by him maintaining control with his players rarely stepping out of line.
Ferguson axed a number of players who seemed to challenge his authority, be it publicly or privately.
Roy Keane has spoken openly about their clash which eventually led to his departure.
Jaap Stam, Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham also left Old Trafford after falling out with Ferguson.
Keane said of Ferguson in a previous ITV documentary: "Everything is about control and power."
Rangnick could probably do with taking a leaf out of Keane's book as his authority seems to be continually undermined.
