Jesse Lingard Set To Leave Manchester United After Transfer Deadline

Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has emerged a shock transfer target for Porto, with the club keen to take him on a season-long loan.

Lingard has fallen down the pecking order at United and doesn't look to have a long-term future with his boyhood side.

He is yet to feature in the Premier League this season and ESPN have reported the 27-year-old could still depart Old Trafford.

While Monday saw the transfer window slam shut in England, Portugal's window remains open until October 25 and Porto are keen on Lingard.

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The England international made 22 appearances in the league last season but didn't score until the final day.

Lingard's decision to join up with Mino Raiola, who is also the agent of teammate Paul Pogba, has 'set alarm bells ringing' according to Darren Fletcher.

"It's unknown. The alarm bells started ringing for me when he appointed Mino Raiola as his agent. Now you don't appoint Mino Raiola as your agent if you're looking at staying at a club," Fletcher told Sky Sports after United's 3-0 win over Luton Town last month.

"That suggests to me that he's looking for a move. He's not a starter in Manchester United's strongest team, he's a squad player now. Yes, he's come through the club and he's been there a long time.

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"Maybe, he feels like he is ready for a new challenge and maybe he feels he is at an age now where he needs to be a starter, he can't be a squad player.

"It will be interesting to see what happens between now and the end of the window."

Darren Bent, who joined Fletcher on the panel, also backed Lingard to leave the Red Devils this summer so he can get regular first-team football.

"For me Jesse's got to go and play football again," Bent said.

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"Not too long ago, he was one of England's main men, at the World Cup he was absolutely superb and he's kind of lost his way a bit now.

"I'd love to see someone like Jesse - he's getting on a bit now - go somewhere, play week in and week out. It's not going to be at United, it's going to be tough to leave.

"Go and show everyone you are still a good player and you've still got a big future with England."

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Transfers, Man U, Man utd, Premier League, porto, Jesse Lingard

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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