JESSE’S £100k-A-WEEK UNITED DEAL
JESSE LINGARD has signed a new four- year contract with Manchester United worth up to £100,000 a week.
The deal ends several months of talks with his new representatives and keeps Lingard at Old Trafford until June 2021 with the option of another season with Jose Mourinho’s side. Lingard (right) said: ‘We have already won a major trophy this season and I look forward to helping us win many more under this great manager.’
The 24-year-old England winger will earn a basic wage in the region of £75,000 a week, rising to £100,000 if Mourinho’s side qualify for the Champions League by finishing in the top four or winning the Europa League.
Lingard’s new terms reflect his progress
over the last 18 months and the premium placed on young English players. He had 14 months left on a £30,000-aweek deal signed in February 2015.
Lingard said: ‘i’ve been with the club since the age of seven and to score in two cup finals for my boyhood club were immensely proud moments for me and my family.’
Meanwhile, ex- United defender Phil Neville believes there is ‘something fundamentally wrong’ with Luke Shaw that has forced Mourinho to publicly criticise him. Neville, now a BBC pundit, scouted Shaw for United but the £27million signing has played only three times since November. He came off the bench in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Everton and won the late penalty that salvaged a point.
But Mourinho, critical of Shaw’s commitment and focus earlier this week, commented on his lack of ‘a football brain’, and claimed: ‘i was making every decision for him.’
Neville told BBC Radio 5 live: ‘i had recommended Luke because i thought he would be a United left back for the next 10 years. But he just hasn’t done it. i know he’s suffered an injury but there must be something fundamentally wrong if the manager is questioning your attitude, training performances, desire. That from a 21-year-old with the world at his feet. You think maybe this is the last throw of the dice from Jose to try to get something out of Luke Shaw that he knows is in there.’
Meanwhile, England boss Gareth Southgate fears he may be without chris Smalling and Phil Jones for the June internationals against Scotland and France. The defenders were injured on England duty last month and no date has been set for their return.