BOOST FOR TOON IN LINGARD HUNT

MANCHESTER UNITED are considering offers to let Jesse Lingard and Donny van de Beek leave on loan after allowing Anthony Martial to join Sevilla for the rest of the season.

United are in talks with Newcastle over Lingard having rejected attempts by Tottenham and West Ham to sign him because both clubs are top-four rivals.

Negotiations progressed yesterday after Lingard spoke to United’s interim boss Ralf Rangnick from Dubai, where he has been staying at the start of the winter break.

It is understood that Newcastle’s new Saudi owners are prepared to pay a loan fee for Lingard and a substantial bonus if the Premier League strugglers avoid relegation, as well as covering his £100,000-a-week wages.

The 29-year-old England international is keen to move to Tyneside rather than spend the remaining five months of his Old Trafford contract playing a bit-part role at United, having enjoyed a successful loan spell at West Ham last year. Lingard has started just two games this season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rangnick, and is desperate to reclaim a place in the England squad ahead of this year’s World Cup. He is set to end a 21-year association with United in the summer when he leaves the club as a free agent.

United would prefer to sell Lingard in a permanent deal this month but at least the Newcastle loan agreement would guarantee them a significant fee.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Van de Beek, another of United’s peripheral players, on a short-term basis.

United blocked the Dutchman’s proposed loan move to Everton last summer but may be more open to offers now, with Valencia said to be another option.

Martial flew to Spain yesterday to complete his loan move to Sevilla. It is understood the Spanish club have not paid a fee but will cover the cost of his £200,000-a-week salary.