PAUL SCHOLES thinks Jesse Lingard’s days are numbered at Manchester United. The 27-year-old scored against LASK as the Red Devils progressed to the Europa League quarter-finals. It marked the first time Lingard has scored in back-to-back games for United since 2018. But he was taken off in the 63rd minute with United chasing a winner […]
PAUL SCHOLES thinks Jesse Lingard’s days are numbered at Manchester United.
The 27-year-old scored against LASK as the Red Devils progressed to the Europa League quarter-finals.
It marked the first time Lingard has scored in back-to-back games for United since 2018.
But he was taken off in the 63rd minute with United chasing a winner and replaced by Paul Pogba.
Scholes in convinced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to take him off is a huge sign that he is on his way out.
Speaking after the match on BT Sport, he was asked about Lingard’s future at the club.
The United legend, 45, said: “I’m not totally sure, I do think when he’s playing well he has something to offer.
“I think lately he hasn’t been good enough really.
“Is he a starting XI player if you’re going to go on to win the league and big trophies at Man United? I’m not sure he is.
“Tonight was a game where you think, ‘This is a chance for Jesse to play 90 minutes along with Fred’.
“When Ole took him off after an hour, I thought it was a sign that Ole is probably thinking of moving him on.
“I might be totally wrong, but that’s the feeling I get.
“When you’ve got fringe players and you need to get them games, tonight was the perfect opportunity for 90 minutes.
“He scored a goal as well, his confidence might have a grown a little bit.
“I don’t think he was particularly great in the game. I don’t think there’s any way in the world he will start the game on Monday.
“I think that was a sign, possibly with Fred as well, maybe the situation. He might be thinking of offloading the pair of them.”
Lingard has struggled to impress this season after scoring just one goal in 22 league appearances.
United are reportedly “open” to selling him this summer amid interest from Newcastle and Roma.
