Man Utd star Jesse Lingard explains ‘time off’ reason to fans

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Jesse Lingard has reassured fans over his Manchester United career with a statement claiming he is ready to ‘give 100 per cent’, despite talk reaching fever pitch after it was revealed he had been told to take time away from football following a failed January transfer window exit.

Lingard has been a peripheral figure at United this season despite being reassured of game time under former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Lingard pushed for a move this month with both West Ham and Newcastle vying for his services, but United held firm and refused to let him depart after suspending forward Mason Greenwood following allegations.

Lingard had started the season well, scoring two goals in three games before inexplicably being dropped. His game time then suffered cinstantly under Solskjaer until the Norwegian was sacked in November.

It was hoped that the Warrington-born star would be involved more under new chief Ralf Rangnick, with the German’s appointment adapting an energetic approach – something which is seen to fit the style of Lingard.

Yet his continued lack of game time led to a move being away from United touted, with Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham making bids for his services.

And after they were rejected, Lingard ‘asked’ time off to sort his head – something the midfielder confirmed in a statement.

“The club advised me to have time off due to personal reasons!” Lingard said on Twitter, appearing to express an element of anger with many fans questioning his commitment to United’s cause.

He added: “But my headspace is clear and I’ll always be professional when called upon and give 100 percent.”

Rangnick had earlier confirmed that the club had agreed with Lingard that taking some time off would be in his best interests, before returning for the remainder of the campaign.

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It became quickly apparent that he was not going to get game time towards the end of the transfer window.

But given Mason Greenwood’s recent arrest and subsequent suspension from the club, Rangnick said the club needed Lingard for squad depth.

“In a way, yes, but the club told me, the board told me, they couldn’t find an agreement with any clubs interested in him,” Rangnick said.

“With the window closing on Monday evening, the board informed me they would rather he stayed, which I could understand and accept.

“We had a problem with Mason Greenwood and [so it was] being without a player for the time being, who hasn’t played in weeks and the club not finding an agreement with another club.”

Lingard joined United in 2000, aged just eight.

And he has since made 224 senior appearances for the club.

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