Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus leading race to sign unhappy Man United star

Manchester United midfielders Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic were giving a standing ovation on Monday, as the duo departed the Old Trafford pitch for the final time in United’s 3-0 win over Brentford. 

The pair, 34 and 33 respectively, are both set to be out of contract this summer and will leave as free agents.

The former Chelsea pair have made more than 470 appearances for the Red Devils between them, but both players have had to settle for playing bit-part roles of late.

Both Mata and Matic will likely have a number of clubs interested though, especially as both will be available for nothing.

One player who wasn’t handed an Old Trafford send off, though, was Jesse Lingard.

The Englishman is expected to leave Manchester after more than 20 years with the club, with his contract expiring this summer and no hint yet that it will be extended.

Lingard was an unused substitute against the Bees in what could prove to be his final home game for the club, and the midfielder will now undoubtedly be looking at the options available to him this summer.

Lingard has made just four starts across all competitions so far this season

One possible destination could be Italy, with two Serie A giants reportedly interested in the 29-year-old.

As per ESPN, both AC Milan and Juventus have already registered an interest in signing the Englishman when his contract expires in June.

Lingard may have made just 11 league starts for the Red Devils since the start of the 2019/20 campaign, but it appears that the two Italian sides have been suitably impressed by the rare glimpses of quality the midfielder has shown.

The United academy graduate spent six months on loan with West Ham last season, and scored nine goals and provided five assists in 16 league games for the Hammers.

That form saw him recalled to Gareth Southgate’s England squad, and also appears to have attracted the attention of Juventus and Milan.

The report claims that, while the two Italian sides are among those leading the race to sign Lingard, there is also interest in England and across other European countries.

The player was close to joining Newcastle United on loan in January but the move fell through, although it appears that the Magpies could once again make an offer to sign the Englishman this summer.

Lingard is keen to secure regular football ahead of next season, in a bid to establish himself in Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup later this year.