Analysis: Manchester United must re-sign Jesse Lingard

Lingard signed his current deal just last year, but United will discuss a new contract with the 25-year old in the next few weeks.

Jesse Lingard has become a household name at Old Trafford, and Manchester United are ready to reward him for his impressive form with the Red Devils.

Although he’s yet to score this season after missing the last three weeks with a groin injury, Lingard chipped in 13 goals last season across all competitions. He’s become a much better player under Jose Mourinho and has proved he’s a vital part of this Man United side.

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His form with United earned him a starting spot on England during this past summer’s World Cup, where Gareth Southgate’s side finished in fourth place. United rewarded Lingard in 2017 upping his current deal to 100,000 euros per week and also secured a four-year deal with the England international.

Now they’re ready to improve his current deal and make the England midfielder’s value be felt.

His importance to the Red Devils

Whether Jose Mourinho plays a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-3, Lingard is extremely versatile. He can play in the middle as an attacking midfielder, or even on the flanks as a winger. The ability to play several different positions and excel in any one of them proves his importance to the Red Devils.

Lingard has outstanding skill with the ball at his feet, using his quick reflexes to get by oppositions more often than not. His lateral quickness and first-step speed are also off the charts. Lingard is hands down one of the fastest players in the Premier League when healthy. His speed is a game-changing asset. Whether he’s playing in the middle or out on the flanks, he can always create opportunities thanks to his quickness. He’s an extremely hard-working player who always gives his all when on the pitch, and that’s the type of players that Jose Mourinho loves to have in his starting eleven. It’s a huge reason Lingard is always a first choice for Mourinho when he’s healthy.

Luke Shaw, Andre Herrera, and Juan Mata all have their contracts reaching their tail ends, with no certainty that they will re-sign with the club. Paul Pogba looks like he could be on his way out of Old Trafford as well due to his rocky relationship with Jose Mourinho.

Lingard is one of the only mainstays of this club, and it’s very crucial that Manchester United lock him up for the long run. He is so instrumental in the midfield whether he’s scoring or setting up a teammate by threading a ball in the final third.

For now, it’s important that Lingard recovers from the groin problems he’s been dealing with. When healthy, he is a fantastic player for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Manchester United should certainly reward the 25-year old former academy product with a big payday, because he is one of the only players on this team who could potentially be a Red Devil for many years to come and could be a building block for the club.