Lingard opens up on tough Man Utd period: I didn't want to play and that's not me | OneFootball

Jesse Lingard admits he considered taking 'time out' from football during a tough period with Manchester United.

The 28-year-old slipped down the pecking order prior to the March 2020 lockdown and failed to improve after football returned.

A loan move to West Ham United in January has revitalised Lingard's career, but there was a time when the England international considered stepping away from the game.

Asked about his mindset at that time on the show 'Presenting...', Lingard said: "Not quit football, just have a time out really.

"I was going into games happy sitting on the bench and that's not me. I was telling my brother the other day: 'Remember when I was happy sitting on the bench and all this?'

"I didn't want to play because my mind wasn't there, I wasn't focused at all. I was thinking about other things and obviously bottling it all up; trying to play football, you can't do it."

Lingard has scored nine goals in ten Premier League appearances for the Hammers.