Ex-United star says he was “stifled” at the club but was “crying on the way home” as he left

Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard has revealed that he was left in tears on his way back home after deciding to part ways with his boyhood club.

Lingard came through the ranks at United, signing his first professional contract in 2011. He burst into the scene during the 2015/16 season under Louis van Gaal and was also regularly used by Jose Mourinho.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s arrival saw Lingard fall down the pecking order, prompting a loan move to West Ham, where he revitalised his career as he helped the Hammers avoid relegation. He opted against permanently joining the Irons and chose to return to Old Trafford.

The decision didn’t pay off and he failed to pin down a regular run of matches. He eventually left as a free agent in the summer of 2022 and joined Nottingham Forest.

His progress at the City Ground was hampered by injuries and he only spent a season there before they released him. Lingard spent some time out of professional football before moving out of his comfort zone and joining FC Seoul in South Korea, where he is once again thriving and has even captained the K League outfit.

Lingard spoke to the Independent and opened up on his United exit. He told the newspaper, “Being in the same environment for a long time… it kind of stifles you. In football, you’ve always got ups and downs. You’ve got to be mentally strong. And, you know, sometimes at United, I wasn’t. Things happen off the pitch that you can’t really control… it affects you on the pitch.”

“I spoke to Ole and a couple of staff members and they understood, because they’re human as well. It comes to a certain point where, when you’re not playing regularly, you’re not just going to sit there for the money.”

“I was really dialled in and locked in at that time. The way I played, when you come back to your home club, you’re expecting to play. Obviously, that didn’t happen. You get frustrated.”

“My application in training each day was always 100 per cent, you know… But, you come to a certain time where you need to leave. The last day, I was crying on the way home… to leave was obviously emotional but it was what I needed to do.”

“Playing for that badge week in, week out is one of the best feelings I’ve had.”

On the six months he spent without a club, Lingard explained, “I was home with my family and my nan wasn’t well. I felt at the time it was just God saying, ‘Be with your family, enjoy the family time.”

“Then, going to Dubai for a training camp in December and getting ready for January. Just being strict with that. I feel like it all just played a part.”

He shed some light on his relationship with Mourinho.

“Mourinho was so chilled sometimes. He used to FaceTime me from his room in the Lowry [hotel], ask me what I’m doing. I thought that was a real confidence boost.”

“During that season, leading up to the 2018 World Cup, Jose played me most games… it was a big season. And you know, going to the World Cup, you’re not expecting to start. But Gareth Southgate had a lot of faith in me from a young age, and I played every game.”

Lingard scored six goals in 26 games for FC Seoul last season and will be hoping to improve this tally in the ongoing campaign, which only kicked off earlier this month and runs until October.

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