Why Manchester United should offload Jesse Lingard in the summer
According to Goal (h/t The Sun), Manchester United are considering selling midfielder Jesse Lingard in the summer to make way for the club’s key targets.
Lingard, 27, has been with United since the age of seven and was sent of different loan spells to Leicester City, Birmingham and Derby County earlier in his career to develop himself. He has been a regular for the Red Devils since the 2015/16 season and looked to be promising.
However, his form has taken a massive downfall and the English international has not been at his best for a while. He has also fallen down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and has lost his spot for both his club and country.
In 35 games this season, Lingard has contributed just 2 goals and 2 assists. Despite the team showing signs of confidence in their game, the Englishman’s performance has been deteriorating throughout the campaign.
Therefore, it would be wise of the Red Devils to sell their homegrown player for a suitable amount and make some money to spend in the summer transfer window.
The arrival of Bruno Fernandez has seen Lingard lose his place in the starting XI as the Portuguese playmaker has contributed more than him in the few games he has featured. On the right wing, which is Lingard’s favoured position, Daniel James has done a decent job since joining from Swansea City last summer.
On the left side flank, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are capable of doing better than the 27-year-old. And in the attacking midfield role, apart from Fernandes, Juan Mata also has been livelier than Lingard. And the return of Paul Pogba would make it difficult for the Englishman to grab a place in Solskjaer’s playing XI.
Hence, United should look to sell Lingard, who could eventually be on the bench for the majority of the next season. They would be wasting their resources on the academy graduate, who earns £85,000-a-week currently.
Read more
- Why Manchester United should sign Odion Ighalo permanently
- Why Man United should plot a move for Thomas Partey this summer
- Why Man United should make a move for Jude Bellingham this summer
Verdict
Given United’s recent success, the club needs to bring in young and established players to reach to where they belong. And to make this possible, Solskjaer has to remove a few current players in the squad who have shown no signs of improvement.
Hence, Lingard should be sold permanently in the summer and this decision could be helpful for both the club and the player himself. The Englishman would have a chance to revive his career elsewhere in a new environment.
