Manchester United are looking likely to be without Jesse Lingard when they make the trip to the States in pre-season with the youngster himself keeping the England Under-21’s in the European Championships with his late strike in the Czech Republic. Gareth Southgate’s side come up against Olomouc on Wednesday and should they remain resolute and in the tournament, they could progress to this weekends semi-finals and onto the following Tuesday’s final.
This would mean the winger would get less than a fortnights rest and replenishment before boarding the plane to America. The club has expressed their desire for the players to take at least three weeks out before getting the lads back into the swing of things with our transcontinental cousins.
Although the 22-year-old would be having somewhat of a pretty ideal vacation should he still travel, it’s doubtful that he would feature too much in the first team, his bones still wary from International duty. Particularly with a successfully loan spell at Derby County giving him plenty of exercise, Lingard is in need of a well-earned sit down even if it is on the bench.
Mixed memories of the USA, the Red Devils’ academy product set out his stall last season overseas as van Gaal gave him chance to shine which he graciously grabbed with both hands as upon his return he was a debutant against Swansea on the opening day of the Premier League. Jet lag wasn’t the only think that took its toll on Lingard though as an ankle ligament problem kept him out of the squad for some time. A new three-year-contract has seen him back on the managers radar though as he is clearly impressed by his performances for loan club and country.
