Jesse Lingard 'under police investigation' in South Korea over now-deleted post as ex-Man Utd star speaks out

Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard is reportedly under police investigation in South Korea.

Lingard, 31, joined Korean side FC Seoul in February after being released by Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2022/23 season.

He has scored four goals in 18 games for the Korean club, including two in his last three matches - with the former United player showing signs of rediscovering his form after a difficult start in Asian football.

However, reports in South Korea on Tuesday claimed that former England international Lingard is now under police investigation.

Korean news outlet YTN report that Gangnam Police in Seoul have begun a 'pre-indictment investigation' into Lingard.

He is accused of riding an electric scooter without a licence in the Apgujeong-dong district of Seoul on Monday evening.

Lingard is said to have uploaded a clip of him on the scooter to Snapchat before later deleting it.

The police were made aware of the incident and have now begun an investigation into the matter.

SPORTbible has contacted Lingard's representatives for comment.

Former United attacking midfielder Lingard took to social media on Tuesday to update his fans on his situation.

"Back on X, Korea is amazing. Enjoying my football and in a happy place," he posted on X, followed by a love-heart emoji.

It was his first post on the social media platform for 15 months.

Korean police have already confirmed Lingard was not wearing safety equipment, and plan to investigate whether he had a correct international licence at the time of the alleged incident, according to the report.

Lingard is now playing his club football for FC Seoul (Image: Getty)

In July 2023, Lingard was banned from driving for six months and handed a £600 fine after failing to name the driver of his car when it was caught speeding in the UK.

The footballer, who was a free agent at the time, pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates' Court.

The Court heard Lingard was not driving his Range Rover in August 2022 but missed a letter asking for details.

He was later handed a separate 18-month driving ban in September of the same year and fined £57,000 after admitting to drink-driving when twice the legal limit.

Lingard graduated from Manchester United's academy in 2011 and would go on to score 35 goals in 232 games for the club.

He won the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Europa League with the Red Devils before leaving in 2021, joining Forest the following year.

Lingard managed just two goals in 20 games for Forest before being released in 2023, later joining FC Seoul as a free agent.