Jesse Lingard fires back at damning Man United claim as he defends two former teammates

Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has responded to a "shambolic accusation" which claimed he, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford "destroyed the culture" at Old Trafford.

Lingard, 32, departed United at the end of his contract, in June 2022, after a 22-year association with the club. He progressed through the club's Academy system and spent time out on loan at Leicester and Birmingham - before making his first-team debut under Louis van Gaal in August 2014.

Following another loan stint - this time at Derby County - Lingard cemented himself as a key member of the United squad. In 2017/2018, Lingard enjoyed his most productive season, scoring 13 goals in 48 matches. Alongside Rashford and Pogba, Lingard helped United finish second in the Premier League table.

While that was as good as it got - during Lingard's United career - he left his boyhood club having netted 35 times and provided 20 assists in 232 appearances across all competitions. Lingard has since played for Nottingham Forest and has spent the last 12 months with South Korean side FC Seoul.

But on Wednesday afternoon, Lingard decided to lash out and respond to a statement that had been fired in his direction. In a post on X - formerly known as Twitter - back in December, one user stated that Lingard, Pogba and Rashford "destroyed the culture" at United after Sir Alex Ferguson left.

That remark appeared to anger Lingard, who chose to quote tweet and deliver a pointed message, simply saying: "Please explain how me Paul and Marcus destroyed Manchester United's culture?"

One United fan replied and supported Lingard - admitting that he made United "play well" - and some supporters judged him, Pogba and Rashford because they "danced and had fun."

Lingard