Lingard wants to quit Man United in January on loan
Jesse Lingard wants to leave Manchester United in January after abandoning contract talks with the club.
Lingard rejected United’s offer in October, which is understood to have been worth less than his current deal at Old Trafford, and the 28-year-old has no plans to re-open negotiations, according to Daily Mail.
Lingard would prefer to go out on loan again in January – having enjoyed a successful spell at West Ham in the second half of last season – and then end a 22-year association with United when his contract runs out at the end of June.
He will be able to leave as a free agent in the summer and can open talks with foreign clubs from January 1 having already attracted strong interest from Barcelona and AC Milan. A representative from Lingard’s camp is thought to have travelled to Spain for talks with clubs last week.
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United rebuffed enquiries from six teams last summer and Lingard stayed at Old Trafford after he was given assurances over more playing time by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, he has made just one start – in the Carabao Cup against West Ham in September – and spent more time on the pitch for England than he has for United.
Lingard’s opportunities have been limited by the summer signings of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, and he is said to be particularly upset that Daniel James was picked ahead of him at the start of the season even though the Wales winger was about to join Leeds United for £30million.
Lingard has scored twice in his five Premier League appearances as a substitute this term, continuing the impressive form that brought nine goals and six assists in 16 league games for West Ham.
He was at fault when United conceded a late goal to Young Boys in the Champions League, but made amends by coming on to set up Ronaldo’s winner in the next Group F tie against Villarreal.
However, the lack of game time for United – 154 minutes in total compared to 169 minutes for England – cost him a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.
Lingard is desperate to play at Qatar 2022 after missing out on the Euros, and has come to the conclusion that leaving United in search of regular first-team football is the only option.