05 Apr 2020 11:06:44
Just seen this on BBC Football rumours section.

Arsenal could attempt to sign Manchester United England midfielder Jesse Lingard, 27, before next season, especially if the loan move of Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos, 23, to the Gunners from Real Madrid is not made permanent. (Athletic, subscription required)

Did have a some hope for him about 6 or so years ago but he has never kicked on, and is so easily dispossessed, it seems untrue.

Personally, I can't believe Arsenal would go anywhere near him.

{Ed004's Note - Yeah I think it's a very unlikely move as well. I do think it might be best for all parties if Lingard gets a fresh start}


1.) 05 Apr 2020
05 Apr 2020 11:50:13
To be fair to Lingard he's scored some important goals for Utd and always worked hard on the pitch.

I think he was given a chance by Ole this season to really cement his place in the team and add some consistency, creativity and goals to his game. Unfortunately Lingard isn't quite at the level needed to get us back challenging for the top honours. He's been unable to deliver when given the extra responsibility and expectation.

Now we have Fernandes the pressure has been lifted somewhat. I still think Lingard is a decent player and more than capable of being able to deputise for Fernandes on occasions or make an impact off the bench. Whether he wants this role is debatable but I just don't see him moving to another big Club or anyone being prepared to match his wages. I think Lingard should get his head down, work hard and try to make the most of his opportunities when they arise. Football is a squad game and he'll still get plenty of opportunities. You have to fight for your place at any top Club and I'm sure even Lingard would admit he's been woefully short of form for the last 12 months.

If he wants to move and we can get a decent fee then fine but we need squad depth and players like Lingard and Pereria whilst not perhaps being good enough to start every game still have an important role to play at the Club. If they leave they'll have to be replaced and both play in areas where we're not exactly blessed with other options.


2.) 05 Apr 2020
05 Apr 2020 14:23:33
He's a poor footballer DLIB. If he wasn't born under the shadow of Old Trafford he'd have been let go years ago. Just look at the difference a classy AM makes. There's a different aura around the team with Bruno is it. Lingard and Pereira were gifted golden opportunities to make a stake in the team and they've both been shown up.

Lingard should have been a senior member of the club reaching his peak now. But instead he'd rather act the clown and open a fashion label. There is nothing I like about the man or footballer. If we have aspirations of moving up in the world of football, players like Jlingz should be there first to go.


3.) 05 Apr 2020
05 Apr 2020 14:56:33
Fair enough Mumbles I respect your opinion and I must confess it's hard to defend him.

We've definitely struggled at times this season when having to rely on the likes of Lingard and Pereira and the signing of Fernandes has only illustrated what we've been missing.

I agree if we have title aspirations we need better and neither should be regular starters but maybe without the weight of pressure and expectation they can provide cover for the odd injury or perhaps this is just wishful thinking.


4.) 05 Apr 2020
05 Apr 2020 15:48:19
DLIB, sorry but I think that is wishful thinking.

We need so much better than Lingard on the bench, never mind on the pitch, as Mumbles said Lingard really should be reaching his peak and to me he is nowhere near what is required for a team wanting to challenge for major honers.


5.) 06 Apr 2020
06 Apr 2020 07:56:26
I’d keep Lingard. He’s a decent squad player, and we’ve had a think said for too long, and he can still make w contribution.

Andreas in the other hand has never shown why he’s there.


6.) 06 Apr 2020
06 Apr 2020 12:01:59
I don't think Lingard has a long term future at the club. However, if we sold every player most of us don't think is good enough we would be going into next season with about 9 players in the first team, three of which would be goalkeepers.

Ultimately we need to decided which players we can afford to let leave, and which we might need to keep for another year.

Lingard is a useful player in certain situations. He isn't first choice, but if Bruno is out injured or suspended who would you pick, Lingard, Andreas Pereira or Mata?

Lingard might be the best of a bad bunch (Mata is a great little player, but doesn't have the legs to play the way we set up) .


7.) 06 Apr 2020
06 Apr 2020 12:34:51
Shappy it's best for everyone involved if he leaves the club. We could easily replace his stats of 1 goal and 1 assist in 2 years of football. His only saving grace is "He runs around a lot". And for me that's the bare minimum a footballer should do.

He hasn't kicked on at all. His off the field childish antics and his excuses for his terrible performances are not what we need. Him choosing Mino as an agent when the club are looking to not deal with him are another in a list of digs at the club.


You could probably easily rattle off 10 players who could come in and replace him in the squad easily.


8.) 06 Apr 2020
06 Apr 2020 12:41:22
Shappy, I'd pick Mata every time and I really cannot think of any situation where Lingard would be a useful player, I really can't. He runs in to blind alleys most of the time, where he cannot receive a ball, he creates zero and also scores zero for that matter and his hold up play is next to non-existent. He is a poor poor player for the age he is.

Pereira does have age on his side, only just but again I do not think he will make the step up but I hope I'm wrong.

I think both will stay, running down their contracts, with limited opportunities, as I cannot see any prem team wanting them and any other team affording what they get at Utd.


9.) 06 Apr 2020
06 Apr 2020 20:21:18
I think Lingard probably will leave, he has hired an agent renowned for moving players around. I also think at his age he will want to be somewhere where he is first choice and playing most weeks. Which is fair enough, the career of a professional footballer is a short one and if it was me I wouldn't want to spend time on the bench of any club I would want to be out on the pitch playing. I could spend the next 40 years after I retire sitting on the sidelines after all.

That said most people feel the club need to sign a ST, RW, CDM, CB and AM in the summer, the reality is we might sign 3 maybe 4.

So we haven't really got the budget to be replacing squad players this summer. So although Lingard will likely leave, we might have to settle on an aging Mata or Andreas Pereira next season when Bruno is unavailable.

In an ideal world Gomes would have kicked on similarly to Williams and Greenwood this year and signed a new contract then he could have stepped up to replace Lingard. But at the moment he doesn't quite look ready and as yet hasn't signed a new deal.


10.) 07 Apr 2020
07 Apr 2020 06:59:54
I have said before, don’t ignore this lad Mejbri, he looked to have serious talent. If anyone can step in rather than the useless Perreira or ageing Mata it is an exciting youth. Up to Mejbri But if he keeps developing he is the type that may well earn a place. As with all youth you have to see, but look beyond Perreira and Mata.


11.) 07 Apr 2020
07 Apr 2020 10:44:52
Mejbri looks a fantastic talent, he certainly looks like he could suddenly step up out of nowhere similar to Rashford or Williams.

I just wonder if it might be a season too soon for him. He has only been in the academy for 6 months. Certainly one to keep an eye on.