Ralf Rangnick looks to have confirmed Jesse Lingard will be leaving Manchester United this year after revealing the club’s plans to a fan.
Lingard’s future has been the subject of much speculation over the last year or so, with his opportunities for game time at Old Trafford becoming limited.
He has been linked with a move away on loan this month, with both Newcastle and West Ham interested, although recent reports have suggested a potential move to St James’ Park could be on the verge of collapsing.
Having taken in a successful spell on loan with West Ham last season, Lingard was kept on by United during the summer transfer window despite being linked with a permanent move to the London Stadium.
Since then though, he has played only a bit-part in United’s season, with most of his appearances coming via the bench.
Whether he will head out on loan before the end of the January window remains to be seen, but it seems to be a forgone conclusion now that he will be leaving the club in the summer — when his contract expires — after Rangnick confirmed the decision.
The United interim boss was filmed signing autographs outside Old Trafford for a TikTok video by user PhezTheRed.
In the video, the supporter tells Rangnick: "Ralf, we can't sell Lingard man. Please, he's my favourite player. He's got United in his head."
Rangnick then looked up and replied: "He will leave in the summer."
Lingard has been heavily linked with a move to Newcastle in recent days, although reports have suggested United have blocked an approach from the Magpies, leaving Lingard’s immediate future up in the air.
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