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Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss the team’s preseason match against Everton on Saturday, the club said.
“Unfortunately, Jesse Lingard is unavailable after testing positive for Covid-19. He is isolating in line with government and Premier League guidelines,” United said in a statement on Saturday.
Really gutted to have tested positive after a good pre season, luckily I feel fine and will follow the guidelines and be back with the boys on pitch very soon! Thank you for your support ❤️
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) August 7, 2021
The 28-year-old Lingard went on loan to West Ham in January and scored nine goals in 16 league games, helping the Hammers earn a Europa League spot. He is rumored to be staying to fight for his place in Solskjaer’s team, but the club may have been interested in selling him in order to clear space on the wage bill for a midfielder. Any move will be difficult to pull off by the end of the window now after the positive test.
Leeds visits Old Trafford next Saturday in the season opener.