Jesse Lingard believes different managers that he has played under at Manchester United has contributed to a downturn in his form.
Lingard has failed to score in 16 appearances this campaign but, speaking on The Official Manchester United Podcast, said he has found it hard to remain consistent with regular changes in leadership.
Lingard has worked with Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is himself under pressure following an underwhelming start to the season and Mauricio Pochettino’s availability.
A quote from Lingard’s younger days, where he was talking about the need to believe in himself, was put to him and the 26-year-old made an intriguing admission.
‘I did (have self-belief) in stages but I think I still need to more, even to this day now to be quite honest,’ Lingard admitted. ‘Believing in your own ability to get on the ball and make things happen.
‘That’s what type of player I am and I need to start reverting back to that and playing how I used to play when I was coming through the ranks. If I was doing it back then, I should be smashing it now.
‘It has obviously been tough with a lot of different managers coming in. Even throughout the tactics and the managers I think as a person, you know you should be playing week-in, week-out.’
Lingard has previously received criticism beyond that of his performances in recent years.
Former United midfielder Paul Ince once said Lingard was ‘a prime example of everything wrong with United’ due to his work on promoting his clothing range away from the club.
But, whether critics refer to his performances or what he does off of the pitch, Lingard says he finds it easy to ignore.
‘There are a lot of things on social media, with people saying nasty things,’ Lingard said. ‘You can’t get drawn into all that stuff. I don’t read that stuff.
‘That’s why it’s tough for young footballers coming through now, they’re so attracted to social media and what people are saying about them, they don’t actually know how good they are themselves.
‘One person can hate you and one person can love you, that’s just life. You have to get on with it.
‘We’ve got to play in front of 75,000 people every week. At United, it’s the biggest club in the world, so you get criticised either way.
‘For us as players, we’ve just got to get on with it and be thick-skinned. I love football. I love training, I love playing, I love the fans, the stadiums. I love everything about football. For me, I’m an out-and-out footballer.’
Lingard came on as a half-time substitute during United’s draw at Sheffield United.
United are next in action on Thursday in the Europa League against Astana in Kazakhstan but have already qualified from Group L.
Premier League action resumes for United on Sunday, at home to Aston Villa.
DailyMail.com
