Jesse Lingard opens up about 'frustrating' final season at Manchester United - 'False promises'
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Published 27/12/2022 at 10:28 GMT
Jesse Lingard made only two Premier League starts for Manchester United in his final season at Old Trafford and he admits it was a "frustrating" time in his career. The 30-year-old is preparing to face his former club on Tuesday night with Nottingham Forest, whom he joined on a free transfer in the summer. Forest are currently 19th with Lingard yet to score or contribute with an assist.
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Nottingham Forest’s Jesse Lingard has opened up about his “frustrating” final season at Manchester United, claiming the club made him "false promises".
Lingard returned to Old Trafford last year after a successful loan spell at West Ham, where he scored nine goals and registered five assists in just half a season.
However, he spent the majority of the time on the bench when he returned to United, making only two starts in the Premier League under former managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick before he joined Forest on a free transfer earlier this year.
"I don't know what the problem was, whether it was politics or whatever. I still haven't got an answer to this day," Lingard told The Telegraph ahead of Forest's trip to United on Tuesday.
"I didn't even ask. I'd rather that someone out of respect for me being there that long told me, 'This is why you're not playing', but I never got that.
"It was false promises. I was training hard and I was sharp, I was ready to play ... When you're working hard in training and don't play at the end of it, it's very frustrating."
Lingard added: "I had to grind out that last year because I knew I'd be on a free transfer.
"I'm not really the type of guy to sulk around the dressing room. I'm always that bubbly character with good vibes.
"I was getting on with my training and doing my work, then here and there I'd come on and try to give my best. The last year [at United] was difficult."
Lingard has yet to score or contribute with an assist as Forest struggle in 19th place and the former England international will be desperate for his side to cause an upset at his former club.
"This is another chapter in my life, and a different challenge for me which I wanted," he said.
"It will be an enjoyable one, but we want to win the game. You can't get caught up too much emotionally. It's a chance to say my goodbyes because I never really got that."
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