Jesse Lingard charged with his Man Utd future amid Newcastle transfer interest

Jesse Lingard is out of contract at Man Utd at the end of this season with Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham all keen to sign him – but Ralf Rangnick has placed his fate in the midfielder’s hands

Ralf Rangnick says Jesse Lingard is in control of his own destiny during this month’s transfer window.

Lingard, who is out of contract at the end of this season, is wanted on loan by Newcastle for the remainder of the season.

United would prefer a permanent deal and are unlikely to sanction a loan deal for Lingard, given the uncertainty over Covid and potential injuries leaving them short-staffed.

Lingard, 29, is believed to want to terminate his contract and assess his options at the end of the season when he will have a choice of several clubs interested in signing him, including West Ham and Tottenham.

United caretaker boss Rangnick said: “With Jesse it’s the same as a lot of other players. He’s a very good player, Newcastle have been interested in him but it’s not I’m not the one handling this.

“If you ask me now what will happen in the next 10 days, I can’t answer that question, I’m afraid.

“It’s a question of what the player wants, what other options does he have, is he able to get playing time?

“I can’t answer for him, it has to be done by the players. He’s a very good player, a technical player.

“Here at Manchester United it’s not that easy, we have other players who can play in this position and we can’t go from game to game, five or six positions.

“I know his contract expires this summer, the question is what does he want to do?

“I wouldn’t be unhappy if he stayed until the end of the season, because he’s a player who can always play and I know his level.