Manchester United have berated some unknown supporters who were caught on camera abusing Jesse Lingard as he boarded the team bus following Thursday’s FA Cup 3-0 victory at Derby County. The England international was among six players that started for the Red Devils as they advanced to the FA Cup quarter-final.
In a video circulated on social media on Thursday night showed a group of people who are alleged to be United supporters repeatedly shouting insults at Lingard and taunting him on his goals and assist tally this season. One supporter was heard screaming: “Zero goals and zero assists in 2019, you’re dead.”
Another fan can be heard repeatedly shouting ‘F*** off, Jesse, you’re s***!’ as he walks past. It also appears one person shouted the N-word before Lingard entered the team bus parked outside the stadium.
https://twitter.com/CantonaCollars/status/1235816580514058241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportbible.com%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news-reactions-video-emerges-of-man-utd-fans-abusing-jesse-lingard-20200306
Lingard has been dealing with some personal issues off the pitch which has led to the loss of form he has suffered since last season. In December, the midfielder disclosed that his mother has been suffering from an illness which led to him looking after his two younger siblings.
“I wasn’t performing and he was on me all the time. He [Ole Gunnar Solskjaer] wanted more from me,” he told The Daily Mail.
“So I felt it was best to get everything off my chest and tell him why my head wasn’t right. So I knocked on his door.
“…When I came on the manager said to me, ‘Just go on and play with a smile and enjoy it.’ To hear that gives you confidence. He knows what kind of character I am. I need to be smiling.
“He has just told me that everything will be OK. Maybe I just needed someone to say that.
“He said he just wanted the old Jesse back and maybe I can give him that now.”
Reacting to insults and racial abuse aimed at Lingard, United condemned the incident and launched an investigation to fish out the culprits. According to a statement from the club, it will speak to Derby about the incident which happened after the game at Pride Park.
The incident has also been condemned by Derby and the club in a statement said it is studying CCTV footage of the incident to help Manchester United in their enquiries. Derbyshire Police has also begun a probe into the incident and has appealed for witnesses and information.
“We are aware of the video that was taken outside Pride Park following last night’s game between Derby County and Manchester United and enquiries are ongoing,” a Derbyshire Police statement said.
