Jesse Lingard will push to move from Manchester United before the transfer window closes, unless he believes he will play regularly this season.
Lingard impressed after signing West Ham on loan in January, scoring nine goals and five assists in just 16 games. Before that, he had barely presented to the Red Devils after struggling with personal issues.
Since returning to Old Trafford this summer, he has endured a coronavirus-affected pre-season and missed United’s last friendly against Everton. But Lingard is now back in training and scored in a behind-the-scenes meeting with Burnley.
Lingard is vying to present when United travel to Southampton on Sunday, but according to The Times, he may be ready to take a step away from his boys’ club. Lingard is not willing to sit on the bench this season and should the midfielder feel that playing time is unlikely, he will ask to leave.
Bruno Fernandes is currently in front of Lingard in the hook order and he has barely missed a minute of action since he wrote in January 2020.
There has been some interest in him this summer, although no fixed bids have been submitted yet. West Ham are keen to sign Lingard permanently but are unwilling to pay United £ 25m.
Atletico Madrid also considered a move, and there have been inquiries from several clubs in Italy as well.
United would be open to Lingard’s departure if he pressed for a transfer. 90min understands that they want to sign more players, but only if they can sell first. A deal for Kieran Trippier, to whom they were strongly linked earlier this summer, is not off the table and Ruben Neves is another target.
