Man United 2-1 LASK (agg. 7-1)
by Simon Williams
at Old Trafford

JESSE LINGARD cut a frustrated figure when he was subbed off shortly after scoring in Manchester United’s Europa League win over LASK on Wednesday night.

The 27-year-old forward, who has been at Old Trafford since the age of seven, recently admitted to struggling on and off the field this season.

But having scored the Red Devils’ second goal against Leicester in the final Premier League game of the season — confirming Champions League football at Old Trafford for the next campaign  — Lingard netted the equaliser in the 2-1 win over LASK.

The home side went a goal behind after 55 minutes through a stunning Philipp Wiesinger goal, but Lingard slotted past keeper Alexander Schlager two minutes later.

Substitute Anthony Martial netted the winner on 88 minutes as United cruised through 7-1 on aggregate and set up a tie with Copenhagen in the quarter finals.

But as the camera panned to Lingard in the stands shortly after he came off for Paul Pogba just after the hour mark, the England international looked frustrated after putting in one of the better performances on the night — a performance that earned him the man-of-the-match vote on United’s official website.

Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Lingard explained his reaction after being substituted. He said: “I was enjoying the game. I enjoy football naturally anyway and I felt that I was going to score more, but it’s the manager’s decision and I stand by that.”

And when asked about his player’s future — on a night when he confirmed that Alexis Sanchez will complete a permanent move to Inter Milan — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted that Lingard knows what he has to do to be successful at the club.

“Every player, when you get your chance in a game or even in training, you’ve got a chance to prove yourself, prove your worth,” said the United manager. “I’ve known Jesse since he was a little kid and I know there’s a good player and a great personality to have around.

“He knows what we want from him and he knows he has to stand by the manager whatever decision he makes. I would be disappointed if he was happy coming off. He’s growing in confidence. He’s worked really hard on his finishing, especially lately, and I’m happy for him to score.”

But former United legend Paul Scholes, who was a pundit for the game on BT Sport, believed that Lingard’s time at Old Trafford may be coming to an end.

”Recently, he’s not been good enough,” he said. “To bring him off after an hour when he definitely won’t start on Monday, that was a little sign, and Fred [subbed off shortly after Lingard] as well, that [Solskjaer] might be getting rid of them.

“I know what he’s capable of, but at United he’s just become a squad player. Unless there are a lot of injuries, I don’t see Jesse getting a run of games.

“I like Jesse, but I can’t seeing him getting a run of games.”