Lingard: No deal yet to let forward leave Man Utd in January

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that the club have not yet struck a deal to allow Jesse Lingard to leave in the January transfer window.

The Premier League forward has been linked with loan moves to West Ham and West Brom over the course of the last few weeks.

However, Lingard’s wages have proved to be a stumbling block and in West Ham’s case, the club would likely have to cancel one of their current loan deals to bring the United striker to London.

The 28-year-old talent has struggled for game time in Solskjaer’s team this season, with just three appearances in cup competitions to date.

And while Solskjaer has remained cordial in regards to the player’s future at Old Trafford, it seems likely that a move away from United would suit the player and his current employers.

When asked about the current status of Lingard and Brandon Williams’ future at the club in Tuesday’s media conference, the United manager said: “They’re still part of the club, part of the squad, training well.

“No deal has been struck for any players yet going out – still a little period left, of course. There’s been many clubs interested in our players, so let’s see what happens”

Like Lingard, another player who could also benefit from a loan move away from Old Trafford this month is Facundo Pellistri.

The Uruguayan winger joined Man Utd in the summer from Penarol for a reported fee of around €10 million, but has yet to feature at all in the club’s first team squad.

And Solskjaer admitted that a loan move may benefit the young player until he’s ready for United’s starting squad.

“There’s been talks and quite a few clubs interested in Facundo to go out on loan. That’s maybe something we will let him do now.

“He’s had a few games in the reserves. We want him to have regular football at a high level.”