Lingard absence explanation
Lingard is yet to play a single minute of league football for Manchester United this season. The England international was a significant part of United’s team, however has seen starts diminish throughout his latter time at the club.
Much of this has been down to the excellent form of Bruno Fernandes and the arrival of Mason Greenwood. However, these have not been the only reasons for Lingard’s absence.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that Lingard has come into contact with Covid on number of occasions meaning he needed to self isolate
“Jesse will be in the squad,” Solskjaer said when asked about the England international’s chance of playing in the League Cup quarter final against Everton. “He has been working hard in training. He has been unfortunate with having to isolate a few times, been in contact, or close contact with Covid, not even having it himself.”
“He’s been very unlucky being away from the training ground a few times. He works really hard and he’ll be involved in the squad, definitely.”
Solskjaer will be hoping that his side can continue their fine form which saw a 6-goal haul against Leeds in their last league match.
League Cup priority
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has faced significant criticism this season from a manner of different directions and personalities. Even former coaches such as Louis van Gaal have suggested that so Solskjaer is not even training his players properly.
Yet, despite all this criticism, Manchester United are placing themselves well in the race for the top 4 this season and have amassed an excellent away record in the league.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 20: Victor Lindelof of Manchester United celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 4-0 during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford on December 20, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Now they travel to Everton, another side challenging for a UCL place and currently sitting fourth behind Merseyside rivals Liverpool, Leicester City and United themselves. Even though the League Cup is not the club’s main priority this season, far from it, Solskjaer admitted that it is something that they want to win.
“It’s something we’re aiming for,” he told ESPN. “We want to improve every season and to improve on last year is to get to the final and, of course, when you get to the final there’s only one thing that matters and that’s to lift the trophy.”
“I remember myself winning my first trophy. Even towards the end of my career, I think it was Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic’s first trophy in the Carling Cup, 2006 was it? I think that was their first trophy and it does give something to a team.”
“We are desperate to get our hands on a trophy, these players are desperate to learn how to win.”
Everton host Manchester United in a 8pm kick off tomorrow evening.
