Man Utd's Jesse Lingard stance amid contract stand-off as he 'seeks assurances'

Manchester United are open to offloading Jesse Lingard in January if he continues to shun their new contract offer.

The midfielder returned to Old Trafford in the summer following an impressive loan spell at West Ham.

Lingard rediscovered his best form in the capital, scoring nine times in 16 outings, but returned to a star-studded United side.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bolstered his attacking ranks with the signings of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho recently.

That has meant Lingard's minutes have been limited and he rejected the offer of a new deal earlier this season.

The England star has less than 12 months to run on his contract and United could sanction a midseason departure for just £15m, reports the Sun, as they don't want to lose him for nothing.

Jesse Lingard's deal is running down and he has rejected an extension

Lingard has grown frustrated at his lack of opportunities thus far. In the Premier League he is yet to start with all three of his appearances coming as a substitute.

He scored a late winner against the Hammers for United earlier this season, but that did little to push him up the pecking order.

Now the 28-year-old is seeking assurances over his role going forward as he weighs up his future.

He has reportedly been offered a pay bump that would see him pocket £135,000 a week.

Lingard would not be short of suitors with Rio Ferdinand urging Newcastle to consider signing the versatile star. West Ham have also been linked with a permanent deal.

Solskjaer claimed at the start of the season that the United academy graduate would have a part to play, but gave few assurances he would be as a starter.

In August 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'.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claimed the player had a "big role to play" ( Image:

Getty Images)

"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.

"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."

United's next game is a trip to the King Power to take on Leicester.