Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Charlie Austin names two clubs Jesse Lingard could join amid claim Man Utd have hampered his career

Man Utd winger Jesse Lingard

QPR striker Charlie Austin has had his say on Jesse Lingard and where he thinks the Man Utd winger will end up, with two Premier League sides named.

Lingard produced arguably the best form of his career in the latter half of last season. The winger joined West Ham on loan in the winter window and wasted little time reminding everyone what he is capable of producing.

The former England international contributed to 13 goals for the Hammers and was one of the main reasons why they qualified for the Europa League.

Lingard was heavily linked with a move away from Manchester United in the summer, but decided to stay and fight for his place.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work out the way he wanted with only two Premier League starts to his name this season.

Lingard is almost guaranteed to leave Old Trafford this summer with no talks underway over a contract renewal. His current deal expires on June 30.

The 29-year-old discreetly voiced his displeasure after not receiving a send-off in the Red Devils’ last home game of the season. He posted an image of himself as a youngster in a Man Utd kit on social media.

His brother has also publicly released an eye-catching message on his Instagram account about the way Lingard has been treated by Ralf Rangnick, though it has since been deleted.

Rangnick later defended his omission of Lingard and has put it down to the player’s lack of fitness.

“For personal and family reasons he didn’t train a lot,” Rangnick said. “I think yesterday [Sunday] was the first training session after he asked me [to give him] some time at home.”

What lies ahead for Lingard

Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin has spoken to talkSPORT on the future of Lingard and where he thinks he will end up this summer. In Austin’s mind, a return to West Ham or move to Newcastle are the best bets.

“With Jesse Lingard, staying at Man United for the following year, I think he’s taken two or three steps back, I really do,” Austin said via West Ham Zone.

“His stock was so high at West Ham, every week goals or assists. He went there and really changed their season, his stock was so high.

“Then he wants to go back to Manchester United and fight for his place and unfortunately he just couldn’t get it right, and this year it’s not worked out and now you’re looking at it, what’s the possibilities for Jesse Lingard now?

“Now it’s time for him to have a clean break and I just felt like last year at West Ham that was the time for him to go,

“You’d have to say West Ham [as a destination], you’d have to put Newcastle in the mix. Every player that’s part of the top six that’s no longer wanted by their clubs, Newcastle’s name is going to pop up.”

Manchester United take on Brighton this Saturday in a must-win game if they are to have any hope of securing fourth spot.