Jesse Lingard plans to leave Manchester United even if Erik ten Hag wants him
Jesse Lingard has resolved to leave Manchester United when his contract expires this summer even if Erik ten Hag tries to persuade him to stay.
Lingard feels he has not been shown the respect he deserves this season after more than 20 years at United and sources close to the player say his mind is made up irrespective of any overtures from the incoming manager.
The 29-year-old forward was an unused substitute against Brentford on Monday in United’s final home game when Juan Mata, whose deal also ends in June, was given a first Premier League start of the season and Edinson Cavani, who has decided to leave Old Trafford, came off the bench.
Lingard thought he had received a promise last summer from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he would get more firstteam chances after ending the previous season with an impressive loan at West Ham. But he barely featured under the Norwegian despite the team’s underwhelming form and under the interim manager, Ralf Rangnick, the forward has been more out of the team than in .
Lingard was dismayed in January when a proposed loan to Newcastle broke down because of the terms demanded by his boyhood club. There was also interest then from Tottenham and it is understood Lingard would consider a move abroad as he tries to reignite his career and force his way back into the England squad before the World Cup finals this year. Lingard’s brother Louie described United as “classless” on Instagram after the Brentford match and wrote of his sibling: “Been there since nine years of age and didn’t even get a send-off!!! Well done bro your family are proud.”