'He needs to go' - Sky pundit talks up potential January exit for Sheffield United target
As revealed by the Star last month, the 28-year-old has been identified as a potential loan option by the Blades as they look to strengthen Chris Wilder’s squad ahead of a survival battle in the second half of the season.
The England international has struggled for game time at Old Trafford this term, and his outing against Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday night was just his third appearance of the campaign, with the other two both coming in the EFL Cup.
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Hide AdSpeaking on Sky Sports News’ Football Show on Monday, Smith suggested that a transfer could be what the midfielder needs to get himself back on track ahead of this summer’s upcoming European Championships.
"I suppose it all depends on what Jesse Lingard wants”, she said.
"Where does he want to go?
"He just needs to be playing football. He needs to get back to playing and getting that game time because it has been limited at Manchester United.
"You just think a move away, a fresh start, will really do him the world of good.
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Hide Ad"He had quite a quiet game against Watford, but he’s 28, and I just think that he needs to go and play football, and to start enjoying it again.”
Lingard already has 24 England caps to his name, and was a regular of Gareth Southgate’s starting lineup at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.