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The Nairobian

Top Man United player poised to leave as Solskjaer sanctions transfer

Football

By Mirror | Jan 25, 2021

Manchester United's manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, center, reacts after Manchester City goal during the English League Cup semifinal soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (Peter Powell/Pool via AP)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly given the green light for Jesse Lingard to leave the club on loan this month.

The midfielder has fallen down the pecking order at Man Utd but Solskjaer was initially keen to keep Lingard in his squad for the remainder of the season.

United even took up the option to extend Lingard's contract by a further year to ensure they would lose him for nothing in the summer.

However, according to ESPN, Solskjaer has now performed a U-turn after sit-down discussions with Lingard, where he agreed it was best for the United star to get first-team football elsewhere.

A number of clubs are interested in signing Lingard on a temporary basis, including Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham, Sheffield United and West Brom.

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Lingard didn't even make the 20-man squad for United's 0-0 draw with Liverpool last Sunday, suggesting he will rarely feature if he sticks around at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's Jesse Lingard, right, celebrates scoring his side's second goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Burnley at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

He has made just three appearances so far this season, in a campaign which has been disrupted by injuries.

Gareth Southgate has made it clear to Lingard that he must be playing regularly to stand an outside chance of being selected for England's squad for the European Championships in the summer.

The arrival of youngster Amad Diallo also appears to have reduced the likelihood of Lingard getting a look-in at United.

Solskjaer said earlier this week: "Well, I don’t want to go into individuals but we can probably allow maybe one or two more to go out [this month].

“But then one of the strengths we have is that we have had a fit and deep squad. Strength in depth.

“So, we don’t want to give our advantage away by easing off on our players."

The final say will rest with United's board though, with Solskjaer now waiting on the approval of Ed Woodward before Lingard can depart.