UNITED READY TO LISTEN TO OFFERS FOR LINGARD

 

According to reports from England Manchester United have put Jesse Lingard up for sale. The Guardian reported that the playmaker has struggled for form for over two years and has not been able to hold down a regular place in the squad, not in the starting eleven nor the bench.

The January arrival of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon and the emergence of youngster Mason Greenwood have seen Lingard dropped down the pecking order. He really struggled this season, admitting off-field issues also hampered his focus.

The former academy player has made a little progress of late. He scored his only league goal of the season on the last day and the very last minute of the league campaign against Leicester City. Albeit it was a fortunate goal – Foxes goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel gave him the ball deep into injury time.

It was a poor season in all standards by Lingard. Although Solskjaer is an admirer of Lingard, it seems the club has run out of patience with their academy product. Former Red Devils midfielder Paul Scholes has criticized Lingard. He stated that the Manchester United midfielder has not been good enough recently.

Lingard’s contract will expire in the summer of 2021, but the club has an option to extend by another year, but the club is open to an outright sale should the right bid be lodged. Newcastle United, Roma, and Benfica have been linked with the United star.

Roma appears to be the most likely destination for the player. The resurgence of Chris Smalling in Rome is sending the right signals, and Lingard might just follow suit and move to the Eternal City.