Football

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Jesse Lingard has been affected by off-field issues


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard is back to his best as he suggested that off-field issues had affected the midfielder’s form.

The 26-year-old made his first Premier League start since September during the Red Devils’ midweek victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford.

Lingard impressed during the game and did enough to keep his place for the 2-1 win over local rivals in Saturday’s Manchester derby.

He put on another strong display against Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium and Solskjaer indicated that his recent performances have come as result of him overcoming problems away from the pitch.

“He’s Man United through and through,” Solskjaer said of Lingard. “He’s a red, he’s got a great attitude and a great workrate.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Jesse Lingard is back to his best

“Every one of us have things to deal with on and off the pitch and what he has had to deal with, that will be between us.

“It’s great to see him back.”

Lingard caused controversy with his activity on social media over the summer, with Solskjaer reprimanding the midfielder over a video he posted on Instagram which featured crude language and inappropriate actions from one of his friends

He also endured a difficult start to the season on the pitch, which saw him suffer two brief injury setbacks and lose his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

Lingard impressed against both Tottenham and Man City

His early dip in form was met with significant criticism from some fans, but Solskjaer was quick to defend the midfielder on the back of his recent turnaround.

The United boss added: “You can criticise anyone about anything but, for me as a manager, I have to look after these boys in the good and the bad times.

“It’s great to work with him. I had him in the reserves, I gave him his debut in the reserves against Burnley .

United beat rivals City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday

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“It’s good to see him back to his old self.”

Back-to-back wins in the league have seen United move up to fifth in the Premier League and within just five points of Chelsea .

Solskjaer’s side host AZ Alkmaar in their final Europa League group game on Thursday before Everton make the trip to Old Trafford at the weekend.





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