Jesse Lingard wants to QUIT Man United in January on loan before leaving on a free next summer... with Barcelona and AC Milan interested in wantaway star as he looks for regular football ahead of the 2022 World Cup

  • Jesse Lingard's Manchester United contract expires at the end of the season
  • Lingard has rejected talks of a new deal after being unhappy at proposed terms
  • The 28-year-old wants to go out on loan in the January transfer window
  • Barcelona and AC Milan are among the midfielder's suitors for next summer
  • England midfielder is desperate to play at Qatar 2022 after his Euros omission

Jesse Lingard wants to leave Manchester United in January after abandoning contract talks with the club.

Lingard rejected United's offer in October, which is understood to have been worth less than his current deal at Old Trafford, and the 28-year-old has no plans to re-open negotiations.

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Lingard would prefer to go out on loan again in January - having enjoyed a successful spell at West Ham in the second half of last season - and then end a 22-year association with United when his contract runs out at the end of June.

Sportsmail revealed Lingard wants to quit United and is seeking a loan move first in January
Lingard (middle) has months left on his contract and has rejected talks over signing a new one
An exit would end a 22-year association with the Red Devils but Lingard wants regular football

He will be able to leave as a free agent in the summer and can open talks with foreign clubs from January 1 having already attracted strong interest from Barcelona and AC Milan. A representative from Lingard's camp is thought to have travelled to Spain for talks with clubs last week.

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United rebuffed enquiries from six teams last summer and Lingard stayed at Old Trafford after he was given assurances over more playing time by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, he has made just one start - in the Carabao Cup against West Ham in September - and spent more time on the pitch for England than he has for United.

Lingard's opportunities have been limited by the summer signings of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, and he is said to be particularly upset that Daniel James was picked ahead of him at the start of the season even though the Wales winger was about to join Leeds United for £30million.

Lingard has been offered little playing time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - despite his promises

Lingard has scored twice in his five Premier League appearances as a substitute this term, continuing the impressive form that brought nine goals and six assists in 16 league games for West Ham.

He was at fault when United conceded a late goal to Young Boys in the Champions League, but made amends by coming on to set up Ronaldo's winner in the next Group F tie against Villarreal.

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However, the lack of game time for United - 154 minutes in total compared to 169 minutes for England - cost him a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.

Lingard is desperate to play at Qatar 2022 after missing out on the Euros, and has come to the conclusion that leaving United in search of regular first-team football is the only option.

The 28-year-old midfielder is desperate to play at Qatar 2022 after missing out on the Euros

Meanwhile, Spain's anti-violence commission has designated United's Champions League return with Villarreal on Tuesday as 'high risk'.

Extra police will be drafted in from Valencia for the clash between the top two teams in the group, who also met in last season's Europa League final in Gdansk.

United were fined £7,050 by UEFA after their supporters threw objects and invaded the pitch in the first game at Old Trafford, and Villarreal's 23,500-seater Estadio de la Ceramica is sold out.