Jesse Lingard’s time at Manchester United is expected to come to an end this summer when his current deal runs out and he is free to leave. Clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and West Ham United are being linked as possible destinations while rumours suggest that Jose Mourinho is keen on the idea of a reunion at AS Roma as well.
Lingard had enjoyed an unbelievable half-a-season loan spell at West Ham United last season, during which he was one of the most in-form players in the Premier League.
Thus, when Lingard returned to Old Trafford in the summer, it was believed that he would play a key role in the first-team. That has not been the case though and he has struggled to get playing time under the management of both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. As a result, a new contract extension has not been agreed and a summer exit looks inevitable.
But now, transfer insider Dean Jones has claimed that Lingard wants one more chance at Manchester United and just does not want to leave. As reported by GIVEMESPORT, he said:
"“This is exactly why Jesse didn’t leave in January. He was praying for one more chance to stay at Man United. He doesn’t want to leave; he just does not want to leave Man United.”"
Could Lingard end up staying at Manchester United?
Lingard came up through the youth ranks at Manchester United and thus, it is not hard to see why he would be reluctant to leave the club if he feels that there is a possibility that he could get a chance in the future.
Manchester United are set to bring in a new manager in the summer and it does look like Erik ten Hag will be the man to take the Old Trafford hot seat after his considerable successes at Ajax over the past several years.
Would Lingard get chances under someone like Ten Hag though? And with his contract running out, is there any possibility of him staying on?
At the moment, it does feel like leaving Manchester United might be the right step for both Lingard and the club. It remains to be seen what the future holds though.