Jesse Lingard had a terrible 2019. With the Manchester United attacker currently out of form, he could be set to leave Old Trafford over the summer. Lingard, finish 2019 without a single goal or assist in 28 games in the Premier League. This is awfully bad for the Reds star who had a great 2017/18 season. He has 27 goals in 113 appearances which mean the lad is underperforming. Off the pitch issues as well seem to have affected his game and it’s time for the lad to look beyond for greener pastures.
A new fresh start away from England may be just what Lingard needs to get back on his feet. Former teammates Lukaku, Smalling, and Ibrahimovic have all since have found their feet and are doing better since their Old Trafford exit. Perhaps, this change may favor the England international as well. Lingard has endured a miserable 18 months and his stats show he hasn’t been in form since the 2018 World Cup while his teammate Marcus Rashford has since improved.
New reports suggest both Roma and Atletico Madrid are interested in the 27-year-old. Though there are still 18 months left on his contract and reports suggest the midfielder wants to stay, he is being advised to consider otherwise. In recent times, the abuse Lingard has received on social media hasn’t helped. The star has been deemed unworthy to wear the shirt by United fans and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has barely given him any playing time thus far this season.
Lingard joined controversy super-agent Mino Raiola in hopes of getting his career back on track. Raiola is not a welcomed face at United as the controversy surrounding Raiola and Paul Pogba continues to linger on. Lingard joining Raiola’s side has only caused more friction as Pogba is rumored to be on his way out of Old Trafford to Juventus in the summer. Lingard, was previously link to a Leicester transfer during the January transfer window but the deal seem not to fall through.
Meanwhile, United will travel to Stamford Bridge after the winter break in hope of winning 3 points with the help of their new signees Ighalo and Fernandes. It’s no telling whether Lingard will receive playing time, especially with the new signees onboard. Fernandes and Ighalo favored likely to start, and United are looking for a boost to help them finish in the top four this season. The Red Devils are currently sitting seventh place with 35 points, six points adrift of Chelsea.
