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Lingard resurrected his career with West Ham after a sour end at Manchester United, but his move to Nottingham Forest was a huge disappointment

Jesse Lingard's career has been marked by bad decisions and joining Nottingham Forest looks like one of his worst.

Not helped by a series of niggling injuries, he soon fell way down the pecking order for Steve Cooper and only started one match in 2023, the miserable 3-1 defeat at Tottenham when he was hauled off at half-time.

Forest made an expensive bet on Lingard in their bid to ensure they avoided relegation back to the Championship, buying a big-name player with years of experience in the Premier League and who only one year previously had enjoyed an explosive return to form with West Ham.

But ten months later, Lingard departs as a peripheral figure. His Premier League career, despite being only 30, appears to be coming to an end.

Forest, meanwhile, managed to stave of the threat of Premier League relegation without their marquee signing playing even a minor role.

Getty ImagesSolskjaer refuses to let Lingard go and everyone loses

To be fair to Lingard, his current predicament is not all his own making.

After falling out of favour at United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 2020/21 season, he resurrected his career on loan at West Ham.

In 16 appearances for David Moyes' side he scored a stunning nine goals and added five assists to help the Hammers finish sixth in the Premier League while achieving their highest-ever points total.

West Ham wanted to make the move permanent but Moyes revealed that Solskjaer was determined to keep the midfielder.

Lingard went back to Old Trafford and scored two goals in the first two months of the season, including the winner away to West Ham which he refused to celebrate. But he made only six Premier League appearances, all as a substitute, before Solskjaer was sacked in November.

He also featured little for interim manager Ralf Rangnick and was not offered a new contract, to the fury of his brother Louie Scott, who blasted the club for not allowing him a final appearance.

Everyone lost out from United's refusal to sell. The Red Devils made no money from Lingard's eventual departure and got barely any use out of him, while West Ham were deprived of a player who they valued highly and the midfielder effectively wasted a season.

AdvertisementGettyChoosing Forest over West Ham

Lingard's departure from Old Trafford as a free agent did give him the opportunity to return to West Ham.

But he surprisingly turned down a reunion with Moyes to head to newly-promoted Forest, who flew him and his entourage to Athens to meet owner Evangelos Marinakis in a bid to seduce him.

Lingard was also offered a lucrative contract by Forest. Initial reports suggested he would earn close to £200,000 a week although other reports claimed the figure was nearer to £120,000 including bonuses.

Either way, he immediately became one of the club's top earners.

West Ham fans also felt he had rejected them in the pursuit of more money, throwing fake bank notes at Lingard on his home debut for Forest against the Hammers.

Lingard saw it differently: "They showed me love, they were very aggressive with their approach," he said after his unveiling. "You love that, you want to see that love and they've showed intent for me to come to the club."

Getty ImagesStruggling to stand out among all the new faces

It is easy to say with hindsight, but West Ham would have been familiar to Lingard and given him some stability, even withstanding their troubles this season and their own battle against relegation.

But Forest was unknown territory for a number of reasons, primarily the fact they made 21 signings in the summer, completely overhauling their squad.

Lingard may have been one of their better-known arrivals, but all the new faces brought a sense of chaos and they won only one of their opening 10 Premier League games, losing seven.

Lingard appeared in 13 of Forest's 15 matches before the season paused for the World Cup, starting 10 games. He was on the winning side three times, against West Ham, Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

He also starred in the Carabao Cup wins over Tottenham and Blackburn either side of the tournament in Qatar, getting a goal and an assist in each game.

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GettyBad luck with injuries but enough chances to prove himself

However, he had the misfortune to suffer a thigh injury in Forest's first league match after the World Cup, the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.

He only played after that, starting the 3-1 defeat at Tottenham and coming off the bench in the 4-0 drubbing at West Ham, whose fans booed him when he was brought on.

Most recently, Lingard was an unused substitute against Everton and in a 2-0 surrender at Aston Villa.

He may have been unlucky with the injuries, but he has had more than enough opportunities to prove himself and has not done so.

In 17 Premier League appearances he registered no goals and assists and has averaged 0.2 shots on target per match – with his last action in a Forest shirt a humiliating two-minute cameo against Man Utd.

After a chastening start to life at Old Trafford, the Dutch coach has transformed the Red Devils into a team chasing an unlikely quadruple

Erik ten Hag's reign at Manchester United could not have got off to a worse start. After losing 2-1 to Brighton at home on the opening day, the Red Devils travelled down to Brentford – where they were soundly beaten 4-0.

The result was treated with the sort of frenzied reaction that should be expected when United are on the wrong side of a drubbing, with naysayers warning that the club was damaged beyond repair.

But just a matter of months later, Ten Hag's side are threatening to sneak into the Premier League title race and challenge for four trophies. After so many false dawns, United finally appear set to shake off the malaise that has shrouded Old Trafford for a decade.

The Dutchman has been the architect of this quite remarkable turnaround, instilling discipline, making some inspired moves in the transfer market and improving several players that had previously appeared destined for the scrap heap.

Below, ahead of the Carabao Cup final, GOAL takes a deep dive into exactly how Ten Hag has turned United's fortunes around so swiftly…

Getty ImagesRevitalising Rashford

The 2021-22 season was seriously rough for Marcus Rashford. It began with a niggling injury and he never got going after that, finishing the campaign with a sickening 12-game scoring drought in the Premier League.

In truth, Rashford looked unmotivated and uninterested at times, and there were loud rumblings that he might call time on his United career in the summer.

However, Ten Hag's arrival has transformed his fortunes. It is no overstatement to describe Rashford as the most in-form player in Europe right now, with the 24 goals he has plundered in all competitions already surpassing his tally from any other previous season.

Ten Hag's role in this resurgence is pretty simple, really. When he first met Rashford he told him: "I want to see you smile, I want to see your teeth. Now we see it often. I think he’s in a happy place, the whole dressing room is in a happy place, there is a lot of confidence and belief in this squad."

Rashford's improvement is the textbook example of Ten Hag's impeccable man-management skills. He has restored the forward's confidence and the thought of him being sold is now completely laughable.

AdvertisementInstilling Ferguson levels of discipline

Recently, Ten Hag's red-wine fuelled meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson made headlines, with the current United boss revealing that he "cannot wait for the next one".

Harking back to the glorious Fergie era has been less of a help and more of a hindrance for some of the Dutchman's predecessors, but it's clear that there are plenty of similarities between the pair.

Most strikingly, like Ferguson, Ten Hag runs his dressing room with iron-clad discipline. No one has been immune from the code of conduct this season. Even Rashford, in the form of his life, was dropped to the bench after arriving late to a meeting, while big-money signing Jadon Sancho was placed on an individual training program to correct his mental and physical struggles.

There has also been a clear change in the way the players address the media, something Ten Hag explained following his side's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace back in January.

"What I want to bring in is a culture of high standards, values, accountability and transparency. So honestly that is our values that I want to set and control, both internal and external with the media and the fans," he said.

GettyMoving on from Ronaldo

Of course, the most revealing example of United's newfound discipline was the protracted Cristiano Ronaldo saga.

Only a special leader can take on one of the most influential sports people on the planet, but Ten Hag did exactly that – and 'won'.

The first signs of discontent appeared during a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano, where Ronaldo – who was pushing for a move away from the club at the time – was among the United players to depart before full-time. Ten Hag described the incident as "unacceptable", refusing to brush his disrespect under the carpet.

In November, he repeated the trick, heading straight down the tunnel following his side's victory over Tottenham. Ronaldo later explained in that infamous Piers Morgan interview that his actions were a result of being "provoked" by Ten Hag, who only saw fit to use him as a late substitute.

That wasn't the only mud thrown in the head coach's direction either…

"I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me," he also told Morgan. "If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you."

This attack would result in Ronaldo leaving Old Trafford shortly after, something many suspected Ten Hag wanted all along despite his often positive press conference comments.

Ronaldo is now at Al-Nassr, while United – free from the media spotlight his doomed second spell constantly brought – could end their lengthy trophy drought when they face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

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Getty ImagesInspired transfer dealings

The jury's still out on Antony and United probably could do with another striker, but generally Ten Hag has got almost everything else right in the transfer window so far.

Lisandro Martinez's signing was widely panned in the summer, most notably by Jamie Carragher, who has since been forced to backtrack following the Argentine's superb form. Christian Eriksen – incredibly, a free transfer – has proved to be an inspired piece of business too, giving United a far more incisive edge in the final third.

The cream of the crop, however, has to be the signing of Casemiro. Costing £70 million ($84.6m) from Real Madrid, the Brazilian has had a restorative effect on the United midfield, adding much-needed solidity and control by breaking up the much-maligned Scott McTominay-Fred pivot.

Under new owners, Ten Hag could be handed a transfer war chest and the club would be wise to listen to his recommendations due to his near-spotless recruitment record.

Serie A giants Juventus have recently looked for information about Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho as he remains unwanted by Erik ten Hag.

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Sancho currently an outcast at Man UtdJuventus interested in the wingerWant a loan deal; United want permanent move(C)GettyImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The England international and Ten Hag have had a very publicised falling out, which has led to Sancho being exiled at Old Trafford. According to Fabrizio Romano, Juventus have recently requested information about the player and expressed interest in signing the former Borussia Dortmund star in January. Juventus is currently only interested in a loan agreement where the Red Devils pay a share of the player's wage. Sancho is scheduled to leave United in January.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Having experienced a difficult campaign at Old Trafford since signing from Dortmund, United are waiting to finalise a permanent move for the winger and are also waiting for other teams to enquire about his services.

DID YOU KNOW?

Jadon Sancho was the last Manchester United forward to score a goal at the Old Trafford in the Premier League. No United forward has scored a league goal at home since his effort against Fulham in the last home game of the 2022-23 season.

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(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT FOR SANCHO?

With just over a month left to go for the January transfer window, Sancho's nightmare stint at United looks to finally be coming to an end, regardless of whether he moves to Juventus or elsewhere.

Lancashire have given three of young players their first professional contracts as Ashley Giles, the new head coach, starts to shape his squad for next season

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Oct-2014Lancashire have given three of their young players their first professional contracts as Ashley Giles, the new head coach, starts to shape his squad for next season.Haseeb Hameed, Matthew Parkinson and Saqib Mahmood, who are all 17, have joined the full-time staff. Hameed and Mahmood played for England U-19s in the 2014 season while Parkinson, a legspinner, has played for the U-17 side and in August took 6 for 28 in a Lancashire 2nd XI Trophy match against Leicestershire.Hameed scored 112 in that same match but really made his mark during the U-19 series against South Africa when he piled up 389 runs in five matches – the most by any batsman in a youth bilateral one-day series, beating the 387 of Phil Hughes against Pakistan in 2007 – including consecutive scores of 97, 97 and 125.Mahmood joined the Lancashire academy two seasons ago and has since been part of the England development programme. He made his U-19 debut in the second Test against South Africa where he took 3 for 12 in the first innings.”Internal development will be key to our medium and long term sustainability and success,” Giles said. “These young players are the future of Lancashire cricket and I look forward to working closely with them over the coming years.”The academy director, John Stanworth, added: “I am delighted the county have recognised the potential and achievements of these three youngsters and given them the opportunity to develop quickly as full time professionals.”

A round-up of the Ranji Trophy 2014-15 Group A matches played on January 16, 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jan-2015
ScorecardAditya Shrivastava and Naman Ojha struck centuries for Madhya Pradesh as their match against Karnataka ended in a draw. Shrivastava’s century capped off a debut first-class match in which he tallied 199 runs, while Ojha went on the charge, scoring 115 off 81 deliveries with eight fours and nine sixes. Like the first innings, the pair added another century partnership for the third wicket – this time sharing 179 runs in 30.2 overs.Karnataka had taken the first-innings lead on the third day and their innings wrapped up quickly on the fourth morning for 522, with Puneet Datey picking up the last two wickets to finish with 4 for 80.
ScorecardImran Haroon struck a hundred on debut as Jammu & Kashmir drew their game with Bengal in Kolkata. Bengal had taken a 72-run first-innings lead and extended it to 288 on the third day. They lost overnight batsmen Wriddhiman Saha and Manoj Tiwary early on the fourth day before declaring their second innings at 264 for 5, setting J&K a target of 337. J&K openers Haroon and Adil Reshi shared a 103-run stand before the latter was dismissed for 58. Haroon built on his start, however, reaching his hundred during the 111-run third-wicket stand with Ian Dev Singh, who scored 56 – his second half-century of the game.
ScorecardHardik Pandya’s 90 held Baroda’s second-innings together as they drew against Railways in Delhi. Baroda walked away with three points from the draw after medium-pacer Gagandeep Singh and Irfan Pathan struck early on the fourth morning to bowl Railways out for 263, 35 runs short of Baroda’s first-innings total of 298.Baroda stumbled from 71 for 0 to 73 for 3 before fifties from Aditya Waghmode and Pandya took the score to 238 after which both fell in successive overs.

The Portugal superstar fired Real to victory in the Club World Cup final… what other honours has he swept up at the Bernabeu?

GettyCopa del Rey, 2010-11

Ronaldo would have to wait until his second season at Real to taste silverware, and he was utterly fundamental to their Copa del Rey triumph. Scoring in every game, bar each leg of the semi-final against Atletico, Ronaldo sealed the deal in a tight, tetchy final against Barcelona with a 103rd minute goal, opening the trophy floodgates.

AdvertisementGettyLa Liga, 2011-12

In a simply staggering season, Ronaldo scored 46 league goals – 60 overall – as Real swept all before them. They lost just twice – to Levante and Barcelona – with Ronaldo as their frightening spearhead.

GettySupercopa de Espana, 2012

Fresh from their title victory the previous year, Real faced Copa del Rey holders, and bitter rivals, Barcelona in the Supercopa, and won on away goals. A 3-2 loss at Camp Nou – in which Ronaldo scored – was followed by a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu. Ronaldo opened the scoring, as Real held on for a victory via away goals.

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GettyCopa del Rey, 2013-14

Ronaldo's most recent Copa del Rey win came in 2014 when they defeated Barcelona 2-1 in the final. Although it was Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale who was the hero in the final on this occasion, Ronaldo scored three goals in the competition including two against Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.

Lionel Messi has shared that Argentina fans were "very unfair" to him during his Barcelona days, but that he has now turned a corner.

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Messi says Argentina fans were 'unfair' during Barca daysCurrently feels love from them after 22' World Cup triumphReturns to pitch in January for Inter MiamiWHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking to , the Inter Miami forward elaborated on the reaction from fans following the 2022 FIFA World Cup victory in Argentina. It was a highlight of his life, but the response from fans wasn't always so kind in the past, with the Argentine sharing that it was different during his time at Barcelona. Messi claims that La Albiceleste's followers were "unfair" to him during his Catalan journey.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT MESSI SAID

"I had a bad time. My family and the people who love me did too. [Critics in Argentina] were very unfair to a generation of players and they said a lot of bad things about me. I'm not spiteful," Messi said. "I feel it like a triumph for me to have changed that situation and won over all the people of Argentina. Today 95% or 100% of Argentines love me and that's a beautiful feeling."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

During his Barcelona days, the Argentine relayed that he felt as though he wasn't "loved" by his international fans, in comparison to that of the Catalan Club. The 2016 Copa America was a turning point in his international career, after missing his penalty in the final against Chile. For a period of time following, he had even retired from the Argentina squad before returning shortly thereafter. Now, however, after the team's 2022 triumph, he feels the love and passion of the fans.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

The Argentine is in offseason mode with Inter Miami, but will return to the pitch on January 19 with the Herons for their first preseason friendly of the campaign against El Salvador. The David Beckham co-owned side will otherwise go about preparing for the 2024 campaign over the next few months.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to take guidance from Sir Alex Ferguson as he prepares to spearhead an overhaul of Manchester United.

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Ratcliffe poised to take minority stakeWill front an overhaul of United's playing staffSet to take advice from former manager FergusonWHAT HAPPENED?

The reports that Ratcliffe will speak with Ferguson as he finalises his plans to overhaul United's staff and squad. Dougie Freedman, a long-time ally of the former United boss, is the frontrunner to become sporting director at Old Trafford, while Ratcliffe is also expected to bring in Jean-Claude Blanc as the club's new sporting director. He already works for INEOS at Nice.

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Ferguson is the last United manager to win a Premier League title, and the club have seen their reputation diminish since the Scot's retirement. United are said to be considering a number of sporting directors; they are also interested in appointing Atalanta's Lee Congerton, former AC Milan duo Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, and Atletico Madrid's Andrea Berta.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions League titles, the European Cup Winners' Cup, the European Super Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup during his reign.

Since his retirement, United have managed to win the Europa League and the FA Cup once apiece, as well as the League Cup twice.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

Erik ten Hag's side return to Premier League action on November 26 against Everton. They then face a crunch Champions League clash with Galatasaray in Turkey, as United are currently rock-bottom of Group A.

Chamu Chibhabha and Graeme Cremer played starring roles as Zimbabwe finally coalesced their different strengths into a functional, all-round performance to trip up India by 10 runs in the second T20 international

The Report by Arun Venugopal19-Jul-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsChamu Chibhabha and Graeme Cremer played starring roles as Zimbabwe finally coalesced their different strengths into a functional, all-round performance to trip up India by 10 runs in the second T20 international.After Chibhabha’s 51-ball 67 helped Zimbabwe put up a total of 145 – one that seemed inadequate at the halfway mark – Cremer garotted India’s batsmen with a spell of 4-0-18-3. Zimbabwe seemed to be headed towards another lopsided defeat when Robin Uthappa, who blasted 42 off 25 balls, was in the middle, but Cremer’s introduction in the seventh over saw India slip from 56 for 1 to 61 for 4. India took the equation to 25 off 12 balls, but Taurai Muzarabani conceded only six runs in the penultimate over, before Chris Mpofu, buckled India’s batsmen in the last over to complete Zimbabwe’s first T20 win over India.India’s start had an ominous portent to it when captain Ajinkya Rahane was run-out having been sent back by his opening partner, M Vijay, who bailed after initially setting off for a run. Uthappa, however, produced an innings that bore no resemblance to his grinding effort in the first T20 international.Uthappa found his bearings with successive boundaries off Muzarabani, a well-timed cover drive followed by a powerful whip through midwicket. Two overs later, he collected three fours off Mpofu with rasping pulls off the front foot and a cheeky nudge behind short fine leg as India galloped to 57 for 1 at the end of six overs.It was the first delivery after the Powerplay, however, that brought Zimbabwe back. Cremer, who troubled India two days ago, slipped one past Vijay, and three balls later, had Manish Pandey out lbw, but the ball appeared headed down the leg side.India lost two more wickets in the next two overs. Uthappa was the prize wicket, as Sean Williams completed a sharp return catch. Kedar Jadhav’s departure in the next over was as much because of his laxity as some sparkling fielding from Muzarabani, who produced a direct hit from deep midwicket.Stuart Binny and debutant Sanju Samson, though, took charge of the restoration job, putting on 36 runs for the sixth wicket. With 41 required off 30 balls, however, India suffered another jolt through Cremer. Binny’s attempted thwack over long-off seemed to dip in front of Chibhabha, but the fielder flung himself forward to grab the chance. Zimbabwe’s seamers then removed Samson and Axar Patel in successive overs, effectively deciding the result.India’s tactics with the ball appeared to be pre-determined, as they persisted with bowling short. The short-ball gambit was particularly puzzling given that their seamers were getting the ball to move appreciably off a fuller length.Hamilton Masakadza and Chibhabha were alert to opportunities, swatting away half-trackers between square leg and midwicket. Masakadza, though, was dismissed by Sandeep Sharma, attempting to dab a short delivery that fizzed off the wicket, one ball after carting the bowler for six.Sikandar Raza, standing in as captain for the first time in international cricket after Elton Chigumbura was injured, showed intent before his slash floated into third man’s hands. India’s spinners – Axar Patel and Vijay – sent down a few tight overs immediately after the Powerplay in which Zimbabwe scored 49.But, Rahane didn’t have the luxury of a second specialist spinner – Harbhajan Singh was rested – and appeared loath to let Vijay complete his quota. Chibhabha and Sean Williams then knitted together a 37-run partnership for the third wicket.India’s bowlers, though, were chipping away, and Chibhabha found himself without much support at the other end. Once Chibhabha was bowled in the 19th over, the innings stagnated further. Zimbabwe eventually managed 69 runs in the last 10 overs, including 33 in the last five.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have suffered a stadium blow at Wrexham, with full clearance yet to be granted for the club’s rebuilt ‘Kop’ stand.

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Hollywood co-owners updating famous venueWork underway on impressive new standCouncil yet to green light full capacityWHAT HAPPENED?

The ambitious Welsh outfit have seen their Hollywood co-owners generate the funds required to give SToK Racecourse a serious facelift. Part of that project includes refurbishing the famous ‘Kop’ stand, taking its total capacity to 5,500.

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Planning permission was granted over 12 months ago, with the old terrace being flattened. Wrexham are, however, seeing local authorities restrict them to 4,900 spectators in the new stand once it is completed. That is due to a council-imposed condition regarding the impact of potential river pollution.

DID YOU KNOW?

Talks regarding the proposed structure have continued for some time, with Reynolds and McElhenney confident that they would receive the required clearance. A decision notice within the planning section of Wrexham council’s website does, however, show that concerns remain and no green light has been given. The decision notice reads: “The council hereby confirms that it considers the amendments, as described in the application, to be material. Your application for a non-material amendment to the above mentioned planning permission is refused. The applicant is advised that there is no right of appeal against the council’s refusal to grant this non-material amendment. The applicant is advised to contact the council to discuss other options and procedures for making the desired changes to the existing planning permission. The applicant is advised to contact the council’s head of community wellbeing and development prior to the preparation of detailed plans.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

More detailed evidence, or a revised plan, will need to be submitted in order to appease the planning department. The new ‘Kop’ stand at SToK Racecourse is expected to be in a position to welcome supporters through the turnstiles in time for the 2024-25 campaign – with Wrexham hoping to have added promotion out of League Two to their roll of honour by then.