MANCHESTER UNITED expect Jesse Lingard to see out his contract with the club despite interest from West Ham and Newcastle, according to reports.
The England international’s contract at Old Trafford is up next summer, meaning he can open pre-contract negotiations with clubs in the New Year.
The 29-year-old was reportedly considering a move away from Old Trafford in a bid to secure first-team football.
Both the Magpies and the Hammers, for whom Lingard flourished on loan last season, were said to be keen on landing the attacking midfielder in January.
The Toon recently emerged as favourites to land the England star and had even made contact with the Red Devils to seal the deal.
But according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the two parties are yet to come to an agreement over Lingard.
And now, Manchester Evening News claim that Lingard will be staying put at Old Trafford – at least until his contract expires in the summer.
However, Lingard’s stay could put United in a precarious position as they don’t want him to leave for nothing at the end of the season.
Plus, United’s interim boss Ralf Rangnick has revealed he has no plans of trying to convince any unhappy stars to stay at the club – no matter how big they are.
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That includes want-away French midfielder Paul Pogba who has also been linked with an exit in January with his current deal also expiring.
Rangnick said: “If a player does not want to play for a club like United, medium or long term, I don’t think it makes sense to convince him to change his mind.
“This is such a massive club with such fantastic support from the supporters, I don’t think anyone in the club should try to convince a player to stay.”
If both Pogba and Lingard do decide to leave, United’s midfield would be in dire need of reinforcements.
And Liverpool legend Steve McManaman reckons the Red Devils need to pull out all the stops to recruit Borussia Dortmund’s versatile midfield ace Jude Bellingham.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk