As per recent reports, Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has asked the club for some time off from footballing duties. This comes after a January move-out failed to materialize, while Lingard was linked with an Aston Villa shift.
In November last year, contract talks between the Englishman and Man Utd ended on a dramatic note. After the negotiations collapsed and no extension was signed, the player was in contention to leave Old Trafford either in January or after a season end.
A January loan move was very close, however, no deal for the player was made. After being in links with Aston Villa and Newcastle United, the player is set to remain at Manchester for the remaining season. Nevertheless, the 29-years-old midfielder says he needs to ‘clear’ his head and will be on leave until Monday.
Manchester United hoping to keep Jesse Lingard
Following the current Mason Greenwood case, the Red Devils are now willing to keep hold of Lingard for the foreseeable future. Not only did they fail to strike any deal in January, but they will also now be ready to offer him a new contract.
A regular bench-warmer at United, Lingard made a mid-season loan move to West Ham in January 2021. Thus, a shot at redemption came to the player, and in 16 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions, the Englishman registered 9 goals and 5 assists. (stats via TRANSFERMARKT)
However, salty relations with United have led to the player making only 14 appearances across all competitions this season. With Steven Gerrard doing great business for Villa, a move for Lingard was seemingly possible. A failure to grab an exit for a regular game time seems to be affecting the England international’s mentality. A break from training could be valuable and necessary for the player in the long run.
Can Villa move in for Lingard in the summer?
With Man United wanting to hold the player, a move to Villa will be highly difficult. Before the Red Devils’ FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough, manager Ralf Rangnick told reporters:
“I had a chat with him some 10 days ago and I could fully understand why he wanted to leave to get game time for his future and, also, the World Cup.
“I said to him at the time, in case he finds a club that he would like to play for and also the club finds a solution with our club, I would let him go and allow him to leave. But, obviously, with all the developments that we had in the last couple of days, things changed a little bit.”
With multiple turns in his path, Lingard’s future is one to look out for. Whether he will leave the OT or redeem himself, is just a matter of time.
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