Pundit baffled by ‘really strange’ Lingard decision with Man United set to ‘suffer’
Paddy Kenny has labelled Jesse Lingard’s decision to remain at Man United as “really strange”.
The former Leeds United stopper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insists the attacker will continue to sit on the bench for the rest of the season.
A United source has told Football Insider that Lingard has chosen to remain at Man United beyond January rather than leave as many had expected.
The England international midfielder has just six months remaining on his deal at Old Trafford.
He is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs next month.
Kenny is baffled as to why Lingard doesn’t want to leave in a bid to play regular football.
“It’s really strange,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“Last season he did unbelievable things at West Ham. Everyone was saying he needed regular football.
“That hasn’t happened for him this season so the assumption was he would look to leave in January.
“Now it looks like that isn’t happening. What is he going to do, sit on the bench until the summer?
“Where is his head?. He won’t sign a new deal so I’m not sure what he would be playing for.
“If he doesn’t play for the rest of the season then he is wasting six months of his career.
“I don’t see him getting that many more minutes at Man United so it is a strange one for me.
“Man United also won’t get a fee for him so they will suffer too.”
Lingard has played just 87 minutes of league football for Man United this season.
Clubs including West Ham and Newcastle were reportedly keen to sign the midfielder in January.
In other news, Rangnick holds talks amid a pivotal January signings update at Man United.