Jesse Lingard, once a rising star in Manchester United’s squad, is facing an uncertain future with his current club, Nottingham Forest. While the attacking midfielder signed a lucrative one-year contract with Forest last summer, his lack of goals or assists in the Premier League has resulted in him receiving unnecessary criticism from fans and football pundits alike.
Lingard’s successful career at Manchester United
Lingard had a successful career at Manchester United, making over 200 appearances for the club and winning several trophies, including the Europa League, FA Cup, and League Cup. His standout season was in 2017/18 when he scored 13 goals under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho.
Lingard’s declining career
Since then, Lingard’s career has experienced a steady decline, with his goal contributions and opportunities drying up at Old Trafford. Lingard attempted a brief resurgence during his loan spell with West Ham United, but he failed to land a permanent switch to the club. A frustrating campaign back in Manchester led to him leaving the Red Devils.
Lingard’s struggles at Forest
Lingard joined newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on a lucrative one-year deal but has failed to live up to the high salary offered to him. Lingard has not scored a Premier League goal for Forest and his only goal contributions have come in the Carabao Cup. His recent hamstring injury has seen him fall out of favour with the Forest boss, and it remains unclear whether he will feature again this season.
Uncertain future at Forest
Lingard’s future at Nottingham Forest remains uncertain, with his contract set to expire in the summer. The injury concern further complicated things for Lingard as he now needs to fight for his position once again as Forest are struggling to avoid relegation this season.
Lingard’s contribution to the team
Despite his struggles, Lingard is determined to help Nottingham Forest avoid relegation this season. The team’s togetherness and culture are strong regardless of individual situations, says the Forest boss Chris Cooper. Lingard is keen to contribute in a positive way against Manchester United, who happens to be his former club.
Lingard’s setbacks and current situation
Lingard has suffered from several setbacks this season, including a hamstring problem and an Achilles niggle, which have affected his playing time. Physically, it has been tough for Lingard to go from starting only two Premier League games for Manchester United last season to playing regularly. In addition, Lingard is due to stand trial in July over a speeding incident from last year.
Expectations vs Reality
Lingard was signed as part of Forest’s 21-player recruitment spree last summer and was seen as a massive coup, helping to attract other players as well. Despite being paid £115,000 per week by Forest, expectations have not matched reality.
Birtles’ view on Lingard’s future
While it is unlikely that Lingard will make an impact for the upcoming match against Manchester United, Forest legend Garry Birtles believes that he could still make a difference as a supersub. However, it remains to be seen whether Lingard will be able to turn things around at Nottingham Forest and revive his once-promising career.
In conclusion, Jesse Lingard’s declining career has been a cause for concern for many football fans. While his successful stint at Manchester United is still fresh in the memory of many fans, his struggles at Forest have led some to question his ability. As he prepares to face off against his former club on Sunday, it remains unclear what the future holds for Jesse Lingard. Will he be able to overcome his setbacks and revive his career at Nottingham Forest, or will he continue to struggle? Only time will tell.
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