Jesse Lingard: Pundit slaughters ‘frightening’ Man United outcast – ‘what’s he playing at?’
Frank McAvennie has slammed Man United ace Jesse Lingard after wasting a year of his career.
That’s according to former West Ham hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the ex-Hammers loanee.
Lingard, 29, has only started two Premier League games this season after failing to move away from the club in the summer of 2021 and in January.
On 3 February, Ralph Rangnick, as quoted by BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, revealed Lingard was taking time away from United to “clear his mind” after failing to leave the club.
However, his game time has not significantly improved in 2022 and McAvennie insists he wasted a year of his career.
“He’s wasted a year of his career and if he can’t get in that Man United team, that’s frightening,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“I’m convinced it’s all about money. I would be screaming if I couldn’t get in that team. I wouldn’t have stayed.
“When you bring in Ronaldo and you are Lingard, you move on. Unless he thought he could take Ronaldo’s place, in which case he has more confidence than I thought.
“It’s a year out of his career. He was so good at West Ham and he’s only 29, he has years left in him.
“His priority can’t be playing football, I don’t know any footballers who are happy to sit on the bench.
“I mean, what is he playing at? I don’t get it.”
As revealed by Football Insider on 21 January, the Red Devils rejected a £5million loan bid from Newcastle United.
The attacker played 80 minutes as his side lost 4-0 to Liverpool on Tuesday (19 April).
In other news, an expert has named nine Man United stars who are up for sale amid ‘ruthless’ Erik ten Hag vow.