Chris Sutton has taken aim at Manchester United player Jesse Lingard for a decision he labels as symbolic for the ongoing issues at Old Trafford and beyond. Lingard was omitted from the starting XI for tonight's Premier League showdown with Liverpool - but soon found himself thrust into action.
Amid a chaotic start that saw United slip 2-0 down inside 15 minutes, Paul Pogba also had to be replaced through injury and it was Lingard who was called upon to replace him. However, even the England forward was not able to prevent Liverpool from asserting their dominance.
Goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah made an already daunting task seem impossible after United made four changes to their line-up. Missing five players through injury and Cristiano Ronaldo due to personal reasons, interim manager Ralf Rangnick handed starts to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Phil Jones, Nemanja Matic and Marcus Rashford, who was chosen to deputise for Ronaldo after the tragic death of his newborn son.
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Initially overlooked after his start against Norwich on Saturday afternoon, Lingard soon entered the fray and was, ultimately, subject to social media criticism from Sutton; the former Premier League striker. Addressing his Twitter followers, Sutton said: "Jesse Lingard wearing gloves on April 19 maybe sums up Manchester United this season..."
Sutton's comments have drawn a varied reaction from United supporters. Indeed, while some have questioned the decision themselves, others have suggested it draws no relevance to the alarming on-field matters that continue to unfold at Anfield tonight.
Lingard scored nine goals and provided five assists in 16 appearances on loan at West Ham last season. Into the last two months of his United contract, meanwhile, he is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer.
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