Harry Diamond
Jesse Lingard is happy to ‘bide his time’ as he waits for the right opportunity away from Manchester United with the midfielder assessing his options ahead of an exit.
Lingard has struggled for opportunities with the club this season and has failed to make a single Premier League appearance, his minutes restricted to cup competition with the academy graduate having fallen down the pecking order.
United triggered the one-year extension clause in the contract of the 28-year-old earlier this month, though the move was designed to ‘retain some value’ in the midfielder rather than as a sign he remains a part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans.
According to The Athletic, a move away from Old Trafford remains a strong possibility for the 24-cap England international this month, however, Lingard is prepared to be patient for the right opportunity.
Ig Lingard: "Missed this 🤩 blessed to be back on the pitch ❤️" [jesselingard] pic.twitter.com/sxOobYMdyg
— utdreport (@utdreport) January 9, 2021
Sheffield United have expressed an interest in signing Lingard as Chris Wilder desperately seeks to strengthen his squad with Premier League experience, though The Athletic report the player is ‘reluctant’ to sign for a club entrenched in a relegation scrap, the Blades managing just one league victory and rooted to the bottom of the division.
Solskjaer has discussed his expectations for the January transfer window and has indicated that several players will be allowed to depart in search of first-team football, the likes of Phil Jones, Brandon Williams, Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo amongst those also linked with an exit this month.
See also – The Premier League’s most underused players who need to move clubs this month