Jesse Lingard drops hint over Man Utd future with candid admission

Jesse Lingard has dropped a hint his future still lies at Old Trafford despite rumours linking him with a move away from Man Utd this summer.

The midfielder has struggled to hold down a regular starting berth in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side this season with half of his appearances coming as a substitute.

He has now fallen further down the pecking order following the arrival of Bruno Fernandes and the return to fitness of Paul Pogba, and there have been suggestions he will now be sold to raise transfer funds.

Lingard's relationship with super agent Mino Raiola has also prompted speculation he could be set for the exit door at Man Utd as several Premier League sides eye up a transfer.

But the 27-year-old seemingly has no intentions of departing United, and plans to help his side's quest for silverware next season.

Asked what his immediate aims are, Lingard told Adidas Home Team's The Huddle : "Obviously to finish the season.

"You know I wanted to go back in fitter, sharper than last season to play every game. I've kind of forgot about last season, we move forward and even though the season's not finished, I feel like it's another little fresh start.

"Finishing a season, it feels like a mini-season for me, so to go back in, like I say, flying from the get-go, in which I feel good and then, obviously, for next season to just carry on.

"I have the right attitude, I have the right desire, I have the right hunger to win games to play for United to obviously win trophies which is one of the most important things."

Whether United feel the same way about keeping Lingard on their books remains to be seen.

Leicester, Newcastle, West Ham and Everton are all said to be weighing up moves for his services this summer.

His current United contract runs until 2021, but United do have the option to extend his deal by a further year.

The player though is clearly concerned about increasing his contribution to the team, having provided just two goals and two assists this season, as well as conceding he was well below par in the last campaign.

He added: "My mind wasn't there [last season], I wasn't really pushing myself. It felt like it weren't me. You feel like when you watch yourself you're like 'that's not Jesse.'

"I know who I am and my family know who I am, I know how I play and, like I say, I didn't really push myself last season. So this season I'm gonna have targets, I'm gonna have goals that I need to hit, individually and as a team as well."

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