Jesse Lingard

Thank god he’s going – he’s really showing his toxic traits on his way out! A representation of what has been wrong with this club for years.

Jesse WAS a sign of hope. An academy product with some talent but a massive work ethic and desire that showed what could be achieved. But Jesse, like others, thought he had made it. All it took was a few regular appearances, a lowered shirt number and international caps for Jesse to think he was the finished article. From the academy lad who won us an F.A. Cup, Jesse fell into the hype of his own narrative. Releasing his own clothing brand on the eve of the Liverpool game, becoming more engrossed in his dances and personalized celebrations, constant rumours of leaks to the press… In fairness to him, he shouldn’t have been here this year. He had a few good months in West Ham, we could and should have sold him to them – he was promised game time in Manchester and stayed to fulfill that. But, regardless of how hard he feels his life has been, he’s sullied his name in his boyhood club with his petulant actions. Taking self-imposed time off after winter transfer window, undermining club by posting photos of himself in West Ham kit, and this nonsense of him and his family upset that Cavani comes on ahead of him in their last game at OT. Obviously Jesse didn’t get the message of us renaming the Stretford End after him… And now, he wishes well to Mark Noble, a man he knew for 5 months who Jesse claims “took him under his wing” over Matic and Mata, whom he shared a dressing room with for 12 years combined. Took under his wing? You were 28 Jesse, time to grow up.

Jesse, you were a very good player. You had the potential to be remembered as a great player. You were never the superstar you liked to think you were, but you had more talent than a lot of players who are remembered as greats by United fans. Ji-Sung Park, Darren Fletcher, John O’Shea… These players had less ability than Jesse, but will be remembered more fondly. At some point, he stopped playing for the badge on the front of his jersey, and started playing for the name on the back.