Lingard waiting on board decision for loan move

Jesse Lingard is waiting to discover if Manchester United’s board will sanction a loan after manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reluctantly agreed to the England midfielder’s request for a transfer before the close of the January transfer window.

Solskjaer has been eager to keep Lingard, believing that a large squad will be critical to United’s chances of silverware this season, particularly as numbers are at risk of being depleted by coronavirus outbreaks.

But with Lingard keen for more regular first-team football at this crucial juncture of his career, the United manager is now thought to be willing to allow a move after talks with the 28-year-old.

“We’ll have to see,” Solskjaer said when asked about Lingard’s future. “I will sit with Jesse and make a decision on what we are going to do.

“So far, he’s always been the ultimate professional. So, I will sit down and speak with him again and see if anything comes up. I’m happy to have Jesse in and around us.”

West Ham United, Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United are all thought to be interested in a loan deal.

There is also interest from overseas, but Lingard would prefer to stay in England to be closer to his family and young daughter, Hope.

Gareth Southgate, the England manager, is among those who are said to have provided references for Lingard, who played an integral role in the run to the World Cup semifinals in Russia in 2018.

Lingard’s fortunes have taken a turn for the worse since then and he is desperate to kick-start his career after a difficult last 18 months and a season spent on the fringes.

He has made just three appearances for United this season.