As an academy graduate who scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final, Jesse Lingard will always have a special place in the hearts of Manchester United supporters.
But the latest situation is seeing the patience and admiration United fans have for Lingard beginning to wear thin.
For the past month United fans have had to hear daily transfer rumours linking the player with a move away.
Meanwhile Lingard headed to Dubai for the past week for a training camp to get himself in top shape, presumably to hit the ground running for a new club.
Lingard was denied a move, and while this was in small part due to the Mason Greenwood situation, manager Ralf Rangnick explained to his press conference the decision was made principally because no club met United’s asking price.
Lingard clearly was not happy about having to stay. Ralf Rangnick has told the club website that he has needed a bit of extra time off to process the decision.
Rangnick said: “With Jesse [Lingard], he asked me and the club if we could give him a couple of days off, just to clear up his mind.
“He will be back in the group I suppose next Monday, back for training, and then be a regular part of the whole squad again.”
Lingard has moved to address this, claiming ‘personal reasons’ were behind him missing the game.
Unhappy situation
There was a backlash on social media towards Lingard after Rangnick’s comments, a player who earns a considerable wage.
United on their part have made the right call. A player’s mental health is as important as their physical health, and there is no doubt Lingard has been messed around by the club to an extent.
At the same time, every player has a price, and if no club meets it, why should United give away an asset for free to a Premier League competitor and risk leaving themselves short?
Lingard has not helped himself at times this season. Last November he shared an image to his Instagram page celebrating in a West Ham shirt. The MEN reported how he did the same again in early January.
United fans took a dim view of this, while comments from his brother on Instagram last week which suggested Lingard was being locked up by United, moved to further inflame the situation.
If the break has the intended effect of allowing Lingard to clear his head and refocus and really play a key role between now and the end of the season, then fine.
But the simple fact is he is not really needed. Some supporters would rather see chances given to up and coming prospects Hannibal and Shola Shoretire, while Juan Mata is also still here in case of emergency cover too.
He must also respect United’s decision. He does not have to like it, he just needs to be professional. Cut the Instagram rubbish and knuckle down.
Through this whole saga Lingard has come across as unhappy and frustrated. His lack of game time this season gives him clear reason to feel like that. But it’s time to get back to work next week Jesse, and earn the wages United are paying you between now and June 30.
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