What Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær said about Sheffield United transfer target Jesse Lingard's future

As The Star revealed recently, Blades boss Chris Wilder has made the England international one of his top targets in the January transfer window as he looks to inspire his side to an against-the-odds survival this season.

Sheffield United pitched a presentation to Lingard and his representatives, who are understood to have advised their client that moving to Bramall Lane for half a season will not harm his hopes of securing a lucrative move away from Old Trafford this summer.

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Lingard was originally out of contract this summer, but his employers activated a clause in his deal tying him to the club for another year in a hope to secure a transfer fee for him.

The midfielder was again absent from the 20-man squad that faced Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday, and isn't expected to feature on Wednesday either when the Blades travel to Old Trafford - where Wilder may take the opportunity to press the issue further with his opposite number.

"Of course, he wants to play football," Solskjær said of Lingard after his side's 3-2 victory over Liverpool.

"We will have to see and I will sit down with Jesse and make a decision on what we're going to do.

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"So far, he’s been the ultimate professional, trained well with a small group this morning that were not in the squad.

"I will sit down and see if anything comes up. I'm very happy to have him around us as I know he could have played today and done well."

Wilder's presentation to Lingard detailed the role that United believe the 24-cap England international can play on and off the pitch at Bramall Lane, and encouraged Lingard to consider the benefits of becoming the highest profile member of United's squad.

After Wednesday evening's trip to Old Trafford, United return to Manchester this weekend to face Manchester City.

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