Lingard set for return despite exit talk

JESSE Lingard is set to return to the United squad for their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Everton tonight amid uncertainty over his future.

The midfielder, 28, has not played since the fourth round win over Brighton on September 30 and is approaching the last six months of his contract, although the club has the option of an additional year.

M.E.N. Sport revealed last week Sheffield United are interested in signing Lingard on loan in the January transfer window as he has only made two United Premier League matchday squads this season.

Clubs are now able to name nine substitutes, but the former England ace was not listed in the Reds’ expanded squad for the 6-2 thrashing of Leeds on Sunday.

“Jesse will be in the squad,” Solskjaer clarified ahead of tonight’s game.

“He’s been working hard in training. He’s been unfortunate with having to isolate a few times, been in contact – or close contact – with Covid, not even having it himself.

“He’s been very unlucky being away from the training ground a few times. He works really hard and he’ll be involved in the squad, definitely, on Wednesday.”

Mason Greenwood, an unused substitute in the Leeds triumph, could line up at Goodison Park as Solskjaer plans to rotate the team three days before the Boxing Day trip to Leicester.

The teenager only has three goals this season when he claimed his eighth on Boxing Day last year, but the Reds boss plans to play him at Everton.

“Mason’s fit enough to play,” Solskjaer added. “He will be involved in the squad unless something happens.

M.E.N. Sport understands Dean Henderson has been informed he is starting for United at Goodison Park.

Alex Telles is expected to come in at left-back for Luke Shaw, who is a doubt through illness, and Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe are pushing for starts at centre half.

Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek could be recalled while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay are also out after picking up injuries in the win over Leeds, although Solskjaer isn’t expecting them to be out for long.