ENGLAND ace Jesse Lingard has revealed he has been looking after his two younger siblings while his mum battles an illness.
The Manchester United forward, 26, has said that things going on behind the scenes have been “breaking his heart”.
Jesse Lingard has been supporting his family as his mum became unwellCredit: Twitter/Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard opened up about his family agony, posing her with his mum KirstyCredit: Instagram
Jesse Lingard with other members of his familyCredit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun
His mum Kirsty became unwell earlier this season and he has been helping to care for his brother Jasper, 14, and 11-year-old sister Daisy-Boo.
He also has a one-year-old daughter and has opened up about the heartbreaking family struggles which includes his grandad, Ken, suffering from prostate cancer.
Lingard’s form has suffered and he has received several rebukes from United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
In an interview with the Daily Mail he said: “I wasn’t performing and he was on me all the time. He wanted more from me.
“So I felt it was best to get everything off my chest and tell him why my head wasn’t right.
“So I knocked on his door.”
Earlier this season, his mother Kirsty became unwell.
It left Lingard responsible for caring for both his younger siblings — brother Jasper, 14 and 11-year-old sister Daisy-Boo.
Piled on to the mounting pressure of playing for the biggest football club in England, he now has had to adjust to life as a father figure as well as care for his entire family.
Understandably, Jasper has found it very tough to deal with his mother’s illness so is currently being home schooled.
Lingard added: “I am normally quite bubbly and want to put smiles on people’s faces but people have seen the change in my ways.
“I have been down and glum; just worrying. I felt like everybody just passed all the stuff to me and it weighed on my shoulders. It was like ‘Here you go Jesse, you deal with this on your own.’
“My mum has had some things for years but never really got help. Now she is. So I have been taking care of my brother and sister.
“They are with me. It has been tough to see my loved ones struggling and then I have to come to work and try to do my job.”
Although things have been tough for Lingard of late, even amounting to losing his place in the England squad, opening up to United boss Solskjaer has been a turning point.
Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard has struggled for form recently due to tough family issuesCredit: AFP or licensors
Lingard with his mother, Kirsty, during the World Cup in Russia last summerCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
After several rebukes Jesse received from Man Utd boss Solksjaer, he came clean about his private matters which paid off for the 26-year-oldCredit: EPA
He has only started six Premier League games, but two of those starts have come in recent wins against Tottenham and Manchester City.
Lingard went on to admit: “I am a person who likes to deal with stuff on his own but it’s not necessarily the right thing to do.
“I always use the phrase Be Yourself but I have realised now that there are times when you just can’t be.
“My dad and older brother, Louie, have been great support but some of this stuff has broken my heart, you know?
“As a man I have to take this responsibility on and be there for everyone. I’ve had to mature and wise up.
“Sometimes when your worries are so deep you can’t function properly. Now it’s about getting back to my best and I feel I can do that.”
Given the honour of being chosen as the captain for United when Solskjaer chose a young squad to face Astana in the Europa League, Lingard hopes that is a sign that his manager still has faith in him.
The Manchester United forward, 26, has said that things going on behind the scenes have ‘been breaking his heart’Credit: Getty – Contributor
Lingard knows how much it means to play for the Red Devils and still believes that the only thing stopping his team from improving is complacency.
For now, he can rest assured that the boss knows and understands the pain he has been going through, lifting perhaps any burden he might carry onto the pitch.
Lingard finished up by expressing how things have been improving for him since his chat with the boss: “My daughter is one now and it’s been amazing.
“She takes my mind off a lot of things I’ve had to deal with. She is brilliant; a great part of my life.
“My family is rally tight and I will always be there for them. As for my daughter, I just want to be there as a father to show her the right way.
“I just want her to be proud.”
The England ace has been looking after his two younger siblingsCredit: AFP or licensors
Man United suffer huge injury crisis with five players including Pogba OUT of Leicester clash with Lingard and Wan-Bissaka big doubts
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
