Jesse Lingard has dropped a major hint on his plans after talks over a new Manchester United contract reportedly collapsed.
The midfielder, who graduated through United’s famed academy, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season when his current deal ends.
Lingard spent the second half of last season on-loan with West Ham, enjoying a transformative spell having found himself out of the fold altogether at Old Trafford.
In total, he scored nine times and registered five assists in just 16 matches for the Hammers, with David Moyes admitting he wanted to keep hold of the player.
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Attempts to make him a permanent West Ham player failed however, after United placed a £25million valuation on him.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then opened the door for Lingard to once again become a major player for the club.
However, the 28-year-old has remained a man on the peripheries, playing just 63 Premier League minutes in the opening three months of the season.
And according to Sky Sports, Lingard has decided he has no intention of signing an extension with his representatives making it clear he sees his future away from his boyhood club.
Lingard still harbours hopes of making into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for next winter’s World Cup and is acutely aware he needs more regular opportunities to achieve that aim.
The report suggests that as far as Lingard is concerned ‘the matter is closed’ and he could depart as soon as January, when the transfer window reopens.
As news surfaced regarding his contract situation, Lingard took to social media posting an image of him celebrating in a West Ham shirt.
That appeared to indicate he would be open to returning to the London Stadium and possibly helping in their push for the Champions League.
Moyes was coy when pushed on the possibility of re-signing him, telling reporters: "We really enjoyed having Jesse, he made a great contribution.
“We've kicked on again. Jesse is a Man United player and it's for them to decide."
Meanwhile, Solskjaer heaped praise on his player claiming any speculation regarding his future hasn’t seen his performance levels drop on the training pitches of Carrington.
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"Jesse is training really hard and well. He's available,” the United boss explained. "I'm not in his contract talks but he gives energy to the group every day.
“He wants to play as much as possible, all the players do. He's disappointed he's not played more.
"He's done well when he's played for us. He knows with all the games coming up, he's going to play a part."
United travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford on Saturday, with Solskjaer knowing only a win will ease the intense scrutiny on his position in the dugout.
