KEY POINTS

  • Jesse Lingard's representatives have reportedly landed in Spain to hold transfer talks for next summer
  • The longtime Manchester United winger has been used sparingly this season but shined when he was on the pitch
  • Losing Lingard next summer could be a major regret for Manchester United management

Jesse Lingard’s time with Manchester United may be coming to an end very soon as his representatives are reportedly in Spain.

This is according to a report from the Times as the England international is inching closer towards leaving Old Trafford rather than an extension with them.

The International Business Times could not independently verify the information put forward.

As noted by Caught Offside, contract talks with Manchester United officials have broken down, and it now appears that Lingard is done dealing with the circus that has taken over Old Trafford.

Lingard’s contract is set to expire by the end of this season, and if the update put forth is to be believed, the 28-year-old could be angling for a loan move to another club during the January transfer window.

This would give him the exposure and minutes needed to showcase his talents to generate interest from other teams, giving him leverage during contract negotiations.

Lingard had just returned to the Red Devils after a loan spell from West Ham United in the latter half of last season, and many were expecting manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to feature Lingard heavily in their matches.

However, the arrival of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund during the transfer window put him on the sidelines for a long while.

Lingard would prove his value to the team as a super sub-option, scoring the stoppage-time winner against West Ham United in their September 19 meeting.

He would find more success as a member of the England international team by being heavily involved in their 4-0 victory over Andorra in a FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match, assisting on two goals and scoring two of his own.

Losing Lingard, someone whom many thought would be the perfect running mate for Cristiano Ronaldo on the wings, is certainly going to be a massive blow to a Manchester United squad who is struggling to leave the cave of mediocrity.

Should the speedy winger decide to leave the club, Manchester United could wind up regretting the decision down the road as Lingard provides energy that boosts his teammates and the ability to be a consistent goal-scoring threat.

With Solskjaer’s job on the line and the club considering to replace him at the end of the season, the Norwegian manager has nothing left to lose by playing Lingard in their next couple of matches, starting with Watford on Saturday, November 20.

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