Lingard decision suggests Solskjaer problem after Ronaldo return

Jesse Lingard has rejected a contract offer from Manchester United despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisting he has a role to play.

The midfielder showed what he was capable of last season whilst on loan at West Ham.

He'd been out in the cold in Manchester, failing to make a single league appearance before a January loan move away.

Lingard rediscovered his best form at the London Stadium but was always set for a return to Old Trafford.

Solskjaer clearly feels his United side can benefit from having Lingard, but evidently the player himself doesn't feel as though being at United benefits him.

With less than 12 months to run on his deal the 28-year-old has shunned their offer of an extension, reports the BBC.

Jesse Lingard has turned down a contract offer at Man Utd

Whether improved terms are again tabled remains to be seen, but Lingard has concerns over his involvement going forward.

The England star had his work cut out before Cristiano Ronaldo returned to United.

Now though, with the Portugal star set to command a place in attack it leaves Lingard battling with Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Edinson Cavani for the remaining two spots.

Bruno Fernandes will command at the No 10 role, further limiting Lingard's options.

Failing to play regularly saw the midfielder struggle for form last season, which could threaten his England future.

Solskjaer made his feelings clear last month, insisting Lingard would feature, but perhaps in a squad role.

He said: "I think Jesse's first priority is to get into our team. I think whenever your employer is Man United, I think that's your first priority and always is.

"I think we, together, can have great moments. Of course, as a manager, with players in a squad like I've got now, it's difficult. It's difficult to say that 'this weekend you're not playing'.

"Of course, I have to leave players out, never mind from the starting XI but from the squad. But they all have to remember and know they're going to have to play a part if we're going to be successful.

Jadon Sancho is set to be a regular under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ( Image:

Getty Images)

"Jesse is back to his fitness, he played really well in the behind-closed-doors game on Tuesday and he's come back bubbly and in good shape. He's got a big part to play."

So far Solskjaer's words have amounted to four minutes off the bench in the dying embers of the draw at Southampton.

That whilst Rashford remains absent and Ronaldo wasn't yet at the club. Throw those two back in the mix and just where are Lingard's minutes going to come from?

In an impressive West Ham side last term the midfielder was a stand out.

He's more than capable of doing so again and that appears to suit him more than a squad role.

Solskjaer looks to have been reluctant to let quality players to go, even if it seems like their involvement will be limited.

Donny van de Beek is another case in point. Denied a move away by the Norwegian, but you struggle to see how or where he fits in at United.

It only takes so many fingers and thumbs to work out that the club's wealth of attacking talent can only be appeased for so long.