Jesse Lingard is preparing to leave Manchester United this summer upon the expiry of his contract following a challenging final season at the club. The 29-year-old resurrected his career at West Ham last season but has seen his chances limited this year under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
United triggered a one-year extension to his contract last season and although there were talks over a new long-term deal earlier this season, those plans have been scuppered and he is now set to leave on a free transfer.
18 months ago, finding a new club would’ve proved a daunting proposition for Lingard but his fine form for West Ham last year has enhanced his reputation and thus, several European and Premier League clubs are interested in securing his services.
According to the Daily Mail, four clubs have already begun talks with the midfielder, with Newcastle, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan all in negotiations.
As per the report, the player has ruled out the possibility of incoming manager Erik ten Hag talking him out of a summer exit, with his mind already made up.
Lingard was denied a chance to say his farewells at Old Trafford earlier this week and his brother, Louie Scott, held no punches in his assessment of that episode on social media.
Lingard himself has not commented on his exclusion from the team which comfortably beat Brentford but posted a cryptic message on social media the following day, as seen below.
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) May 3, 2022
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SN’s verdict…
It’s always a shame to see an academy graduate leave the club and especially a success story of the club’s development program. Only a small fraction of academy players across the country end up as full-fledged professionals and Lingard has comfortably managed that.
His dazzling six-month spell at West Ham even earned him a recall to the England set-up on either side of this summer’s European Championship and wherever he goes, he would be guaranteed a warm welcome at Old Trafford if he returns as an opposition player.
