Jesse Lingard has made a series of posts on Instagram as he looks back on his time at Manchester United after his departure was confirmed.
Lingard will officially leave United when his contract expires on June 30. The 29-year-old’s departure has been on the cards for over a year, having chosen to stay at Old Trafford last summer after being assured of more playing time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, only to be left frustrated.
His departure brings an end to his long association with the Reds, having joined United’s academy at the age of seven. Lingard went on to become a member of the 2011 FA Youth Cup-winning squad before making his first team debut in 2014.
ALSO READ: Jesse Lingard has finally got what he wanted at Manchester United
The winger would go on to excel under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, but struggled under Solskjaer, going more than two years without a Premier League start. Despite impressing during a loan spell at West Ham, Lingard was unable to force a regular starting berth this season, and now leaves the club after scoring 35 goals in 232 games for United.
The England international’s association with the club ended in a bitter fashion, with Lingard and his brother Louie Scott criticising the club on social media for his lack of opportunities. The winger though posted a much more emotional reaction to his departure being confirmed.
Lingard relayed the club’s thank you post to his story on Instagram, along with a couple of heart emojis, as well as posting a picture of himself as a child in a United kit alongside one of him celebrating this season. He also shared a compilation of some of his goals for the club, ranging from his days in the youth team to his breakthrough in the senior side.
West Ham and Newcastle look to be the likeliest destinations for Lingard as he weighs up his next move. The former are interested in re-signing the winger following his productive spell on loan last season.
Confirmation of Lingard’s departure came just hours after Paul Pogba’s exit was announced. The French midfielder is expected to rejoin Juventus this summer, with his contract also expiring on June 30.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
