Jesse Lingard 'likes' Instagram post slamming Man Utd 'scrap heap' treatment

Jesse Lingard has hinted that he is unhappy with his current situation at Manchester United by liking an Instagram post which is critical of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's management.

Lingard earned headlines on Sunday by scoring a fantastic winning goal in United's 2-1 victory against West Ham at the London Stadium.

His curling strike into the top corner in the 89th minute was full of significance for the midfielder, who atoned for his sloppy back-pass which gifted Young Boys a late winner in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Lingard has now scored two Premier League goals in just 45 minutes of football this season, having also netted in the 4-1 win over Newcastle.

Jesse Lingard is yet to start a game for United this season ( Image:

Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

That is despite not starting a single one of United's seven matches this campaign - a situation which is clearly frustrating the 28-year-old.

Former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks has used his BBC Sport column this week to slam United, who gave Lingard just three appearances in the first half of the 2020/21 campaign before sending him out on loan to West Ham.

Eagle-eyed fans then noticed that Lingard had liked an Instagram post which carried a quote from the article in a thinly-veiled attack on the club.

"Can anyone tell me why Jesse Lingard is still at Manchester United?" Crooks wrote.

"A player who has the ability to score goals and affect the game as he clearly can should not be coming on as a substitute, filling in here and there, and playing second fiddle to anyone.

"A cruel irony took place at London Stadium against West Ham as the former loanee found himself scoring the winning goal for Manchester United against the club who got his career back on track, when United had thrown him on the scrap heap last season.

"I've no doubt that the answer to my earlier question is United are more likely to win trophies, but it's no fun when you're winning trophies on the bench."

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Jesse Lingard liked a post which was critical of Manchester United

Lingard's goal on Sunday was especially poignant as it came against the club where he spent a hugely successful time on loan in the second half of last season.

Lingard scored nine goals in 16 Premier League games for the Hammers in 2020/21 and manager David Moyes admitted he would like to sign the 28-year-old on a permanent transfer from United.

That move never came around, however, with the east London side instead signing Nikola Vlasic from CSKA Moscow for £25.7million (€30m) plus £7.7m (€9m) in add-ons.

Lingard has therefore been forced to sit on the United bench, where all four of appearances this season have come from.

Despite the quality of his strike and the significance of the goal, the England international opted not to celebrate against West Ham.

Solskjaer has defended his decision to keep hold of Lingard, rather than sell him in the summer transfer window, and said he is completely focused on playing for United.

Jesse Lingard was reserved in his celebrations against West Ham ( Image:

Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

"Jesse was quite clear he wanted to fight for his place and be part of a United team he thinks is going places," he said post-match.

"I'm so happy and pleased for him. He's becoming a grown man and he's a very good player."

The United manager also confirmed that Lingard would start in United's Carabao Cup third round match against the same opposition on Wednesday night at Old Trafford.

It will be Lingard's first start of the season and will be well deserved, after his goal on Sunday ensured United kept pace with Chelsea and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.