Jesse Lingard and some of his Manchester United team-mates had their detractors at Old Trafford but the England international hasn't held back with his response to criticism
Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba at Manchester United
Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba came in for some cricitism during their time at Manchester United
Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard has rejected suggestions he and ex-colleague Paul Pogba were responsible for "destroying the culture" at Old Trafford. Both players ended up leaving upon the expiry of their contracts in 2022, with Lingard now at FC Seoul in South Korea.
The 32-year-old has described his former team-mate Pogba, also 32, as one of his best friends. He has previously hit back at criticism of the French international, and of England star Marcus Rashford, who left United on loan in February.
In February, Lingard called out a fan who accused him and his team-mates of destroying the culture at the club. "Lool we was just enjoying our life," he said. "We played for [the] biggest club in the world, of course we made mistakes and we learn but we gonna have fun and smile and dance."
Lingard was asked by The Mail about that social media interaction, and the 32-cap England international shed some more light on things. "I don't even really go on [Twitter] anymore but I did see that and just asked the guy to explain it,’ Lingard said.
"We actually got some nice responses from other people. I love Paul to bits. He's one of my best friends. We speak every day. But I was thinking: 'What was the culture, anyway?'
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"With us being in the first team, you know, it's obviously knowing the right place, the right time to do things and stuff like that. But ruining culture? We only tried to make it stronger. We responded to success and we smiled and laughed and we were winning games. So that is good culture, yeah?"
The Warrington-born star also opened up on the support he received from Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired before Lingard's debut. "Fergie always believed in me," he said. "That was the only thing really for me. Sir Alex knows football. That meant everything, you know."
Lingard is now playing his club football in South Korea
Lingard is now playing his club football in South Korea
While Lingard has settled in South Korea, captaining FC Seoul during their current four-match unbeaten run, Pogba is unattached. The World Cup winner left Juventus after serving a doping ban, but is now free to play again after more than a year out of the game.
“He’s supposed to be able to play again, but he doesn’t have a club. We’re talking, and I won’t tell you the details,” France boss Didier Deschamps said, confirming he had been in contact with the player. “Yes, he has the ability and the mentality to return to the highest level. It won’t happen overnight, but for the moment, he hasn’t made a decision. We’ll see.”
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