Paul Parker says ‘Mr Instagram’ Jesse Lingard needs to ‘stop taking pictures and start being a footballer’ and has urged the England international to leave Manchester United during the January transfer window.
Lingard has spent more than two decades at United, making 224 appearances for the Red Devils and helping the club win the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League.
But the 29-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford and is yet to start a Premier League match this season, with his reduced role leading to speculation he will leave the club in January.
Newcastle United are believed to be in talks to sign Lingard on loan and former United defender Parker says he should move on and try to revive his career at St James’ Park.
Parker told MyBettingSites: ‘I think Jesse Lingard needs to go. He’s almost 30.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
‘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 because he comes from Manchester United, good for him.
‘They’re going to demand more from him because it seems that he wants to be Mr. Social Media and he’s going to have to demand more from himself.’
On Lingard’s potentially joining Newcastle United, Parker added: ‘If it is going to happen, he’s going to be at Newcastle, which has got a big support base.
‘If he goes and does well there, then he’ll be a living legend in Newcastle. He can then do as many Instagrams as he likes in Newcastle, because they’ll accept that if he’s there and does well and gives his hundred percent.
More Trending
‘That’s what he’s got to do, when he goes to Newcastle, give his hundred percent and his life will be so enjoyable.
‘Even Manchester Utd fans, if he goes and does well for Newcastle, they will be so pleased for him.
‘A lot of them are disappointed that he’s come back to United just to sit on the bench and are questioning him as a footballer. He’s a Mancunian but they just want him to want to play football.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
