Marcus Rashford was not the first Manchester United academy star who made an emotional exit.
The 27-year-old decided his time at the club was over so Manchester United allowed Marcus Rashford to join Aston Villa on loan in February.
Unlike Jadon Sancho, Rashford’s exit was handled properly. Rashford wanted to distance himself from Sancho after his “freedom” dig on social media.
Just a few days later, Jesse Lingard defended Rashford after fans accused them and Paul Pogba of ruining United’s culture.
Lingard recently returned to Manchester to train alongside former teammate Angel Gomes, and he often responds to United players on social media. It has been almost three years since Jesse Lingard left United, and he has now spoken out about his exit.
Jesse Lingard recalls emotional Man United exit
Lingard has been thriving in South Korea after signing for FC Seoul in 2024. Before that, he attempted to revive his career with Nottingham Forest, but his spell at the Premier League club did not go to plan.
He left United after making 232 appearances and scoring 35 goals for the club. Lingard grew up in United’s academy having joined aged seven. He worked his way through the youth ranks before breaking into the first team in 2011.
After 11 years as a United player, Lingard was released as a free agent. He spoke to The Independent about his emotional departure.
“I was really dialled in and locked in at that time,” Lingard said.
“The way I played, when you come back to your home club, you’re expecting to play. Obviously, that didn’t happen. You get frustrated.
“My application in training each day was always 100 per cent, you know… But, you come to a certain time where you need to leave.
“The last day, I was crying on the way home… to leave was obviously emotional but it was what I needed to do.”
How Jesse Lingard has fared since leaving Man United
Lingard signed a one-year contract with Forest following their promotion to the Premier League, and reports suggested he was the club’s top earner.
However, he scored just twice in 20 appearances and was not offered a new deal. Lingard then waited until February 2024 to make his move to Korea.
Lingard overcame a poor start in Korea when his manager considered removing him from the squad.
However, Lingard’s form picked up quickly and he has now become a key player for FC Seoul.
READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand and Jesse Lingard react as Amad ruled out of the rest of Man Utd’s 2024/25 season
In his 27 appearances for the club, Lingard has now scored six goals and provided three assists.
Lingard was in action on Saturday when FC Seoul started their season with a 2-0 defeat.
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