Western Morning News (Saturday)
LOWE’S SUPPORT FOR HIS BANNED SKIPPER
FURIOUS Manchester United have launched an investigation into the shocking abuse aimed at Jesse Lingard following Thursday’s FA Cup fifth-round victory at Derby.
The 27-year-old was among six changes made for the 3-0 win against his former club at Pride Park, where video emerged on social media showing the attacking midfielder being abused as he made his way onto the team coach.
Lingard is heard being sworn at repeatedly as he signs autographs, before boarding the coach as another fan shouts “zero goals and zero assists”.
Team-mate Luke Shaw – who scored one of United’s goals, with Odion Ighalo netting the others – confronts supporters from the doorway of the bus and what appears to be a racist remark is allegedly uttered by someone waiting outside the coach.
The PA news agency understands the incident is being investigated by United, who feel the abuse of Lingard crossed the line.
The Old Trafford giants will see if Derby can insist their inquiries, while Derbyshire Police are also aware of the matter.
Meanwhile, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s determination to beat Manchester City in the Premier League tomorrow is as clear as his frustration over the Football Association’s scheduling that saw United play their FA Cup tie 24 hours after their rivals.
Solskjaer expressed his annoyance at the way his side’s preparations had been impeded.
Europa League football has meant the Red Devils are well used to playing on Thursdays, but City have an extra day to prepare for the Old Trafford encounter after facing Sheffield Wednesday the previous evening.
“It’s that help we get from the FA again – that extra 24 hours that they’ve had,” he said.
“I cannot believe why there’s a derby on Sunday and we’ve got to play Thursday night. What’s the point in that? That doesn’t level the playing field.”
City also had an extra day ahead of December’s derby at the Etihad Stadium, although Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial scored in a shock 2-1 win for United.
The United boss added: “Those 24 hours are important, so we’ve got to be good at recovering now.”
Solskjaer aired a similar grievance about the Premier League after winning at Chelsea last month on a Monday evening, saying he could not understand why they did not play on the Saturday following the winter break.
Asked if he had complained about the scheduling this time, the Norwegian said: “No, I’ve not. I don’t think we can. It’s one of those where you get told when you’re going to play, so we’ve not got any help before this one.”
United go into the derby with some momentum, having set up an FA Cup quarter-final with Norwich and taken their unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions.
That consistency has been lacking this season but Solskjaer has often got his side to rise to the big occasions, including December’s Premier League win at the Etihad Stadium and a 1-0 triumph there the following month in the Carabao Cup semifinals. But that second leg victory was not enough to make up for the 3-1 loss inflicted by Pep Guardiola’s men at Old Trafford.
United head into tomorrow’s match without Rashford and Paul Pogba, while question marks remain over the availability of others.
Kevin De Bruyne is a doubt for City with a shoulder injury.