Manchester United Could Lose Star Forward Along With Van de Beek Because Of Solskjaer's Tactics

Manchester United reportedly could lose Jesse Lingard along with Donny van de Beek because of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reluctance to rotate.

Lingard, who has less than a year left on his current Manchester United contract, could leave Old Trafford as a free agent amid interest from AC Milan and FC Barcelona, reported ESPN.

Considering Barcelona’s ongoing financial crisis, securing a talented player such as Lingard, on a free transfer could prove to be a great deal for the Catalans.

Manchester United have lost six of their last 12 games with eight of the same players starting each of the disappointing defeats to Leicester, Liverpool and Manchester City.

It has been reported that Real Madrid are expecting to secure Van de Beek at a cut-price during the January transfer window.

Lingard has made eight competitive appearances in the ongoing season, out of which, he has featured only in one game, which was a League Cup fixture. Having played five matches in the Premier League, he is yet to even clock a total of 90 minutes in the league.

After scoring in two back-to-back league games, including a winner in Manchester United’s 3-2 win over West Ham, Lingard remained an unused substitute in the next two matches before Solskjaer offered him a 10-minute play against Leicester. Two out of those three games ended in losses for Manchester United: 0-1 vs Aston Villa and 4-2 vs Leicester, while the game against Everton ended in a 1-1 draw.

Due to lack of game time, both Lingard and Van de Beek have been dropped from their respective national side.

While Manchester United want Lingard, who is their academy product, to sign an extension, the English forward has so far resisted it as he is determined to find regular playtime. Even last season, after not receiving a single Premier League appearance in the first half of the season, Lingard chose to move to West Ham on loan during the 2021 January transfer window.

Lingard had netted nine goals and five assists in 16 league appearances for West Ham, who finished sixth in the 2020-21 Premier League and returned to European soccer. In the underway season, West Ham are playing in Europa League and are at the top of the Group H table after four matches.

As Premier League is set to resume post the international break, Manchester United's first assignment is a trip to Watford in the Premier League. The Red Devils are placed sixth in the league table with 17 points after 11 games.