Jesse Lingard pens emotional message as Manchester United exit confirmed

Jesse Lingard admits it has been an emotional few weeks as he comes to terms with leaving Manchester United after 22 years at the club.

The 29-year-old is out of contract this month and is looking for a new permanent club for the first time since he was just seven years old.

The England international will end with 232 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions and it is no surprise that he has a lot of people to thank as his time at Old Trafford comes to an end.

Lingard wrote on Instagram: ‘Born and bred a red. Over the last few weeks I’ve been emotional leaving a club that is family.

‘After 22 years I’ve had so many special memories and moments that I will cherish forever.

‘I’m a red through and through and Manchester United will always remain in my heart.

‘Thank you to the players I’ve played with over the years I’ve made friends for life and we’ve had a lot of fun along the way.

‘I want to say a big thank you to the coaches that I have worked under from the age of 9 to present. Each coach has helped me in many different ways and I appreciate the way each coach believed in me and taught me something different.

‘A massive thank you to all the staff behind the scenes from dinner ladies to the cleaners to the kit men because everyone has played a role in where I am today.

‘It’s been emotional but to end on a high which has been your favourite celebration? Lots of love jlingz.’

A Manchester United statement read: ‘We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Jesse for all of the memories he’s helped create during his two decades here and wish him the best of luck in his future career.’

What’s next for Lingard is not yet clear, with former loan club West Ham keen to bring him back to east London, while Newcastle