Jesse Lingard needs to go to Newcastle and ‘not be Mr. Instagram’ at Manchester Utd, says Paul Parker

Former Manchester United full-back Paul Parker believes Jesse Lingard should leave Old Trafford and “start becoming a footballer”.

The Red Devils midfielder has been the subject of intense transfer speculation after struggling to force his way into Ralf Rangnick’s plans since the German replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November.

A successful loan spell at West Ham United during the second half of last season had raised hopes Lingard would play a key role for his boyhood club when he returned to Old Trafford during the summer.

Lingard made just one start under Solskjaer in an EFL Trophy defeat against West Ham and made a further eight appearances as a substitute in the Premier League and Champions League.

The England midfielder came off the bench in both games of Michael Carrick’s spell as Caretaker manager and only made one start since Rangnick’s appointment at the end of November.

West Ham and Spurs are believed to be interested in signing Lingard - but it is Newcastle United that have made the first moves for the 29-year-old.

The Magpies are awaited a reply on a new loan bid for the midfielder and Parker believes focusing on football at St James Park - rather than social media at Old Trafford - will be a major boost to Lingard’s flagging career.

What did Parker say?

Speaking to MyBettingSites, the former England defender said: “I think Jesse Lingard needs to go. He's nearly 30, if he's not already.

“You can't just be one of the names at Manchester United and be 'Mr. Instagram' around all these big names at a big club.

“He's got to go out and prove that he wants to play football and he doesn't need Manchester United around him.

“He needs to stop taking pictures and start becoming a footballer.

“If it means going to Newcastle, they can demand even more from him cause he comes from Manchester United, good for him.

“They're gonna demand more from him because it seems that he wants to be Mr. Social Media and he's gonna have to demand more from himself.”