It is no surprise Lingard is following developments at Manchester United closely, and he reflects on an “amazing chapter” at his boyhood club.<\/p>\n
Lingard spent 20 years at United, leaving in June 2022 when his contract expired. He joined Nottingham Forest the following month.<\/p>\n
“We achieved amazing things,” he says. “But there’s going to be a point in time where you move on. For me, it was Korea.”<\/p>\n
Lingard knows “everyone was a bit shocked” when he moved there, but says he needed to do so to focus on football and “clear my mind”.<\/p>\n
Like Corinthians, United have had a turbulent season, but are on course to return to the Champions League following an upturn in form since Michael Carrick succeeded Ruben Amorim as manager in January.<\/a><\/p>\n Lingard says United have come on “leaps and bounds” under his former team-mate and is certain Carrick should be given the job permanently.<\/p>\n “It can be difficult with different managers coming in, having different ideas, different personnel,” he says.<\/p>\n “But I think they’re really on the right track with Michael. I know him from my United days. I know how he operates. The lads are doing really well under him.<\/p>\n “He’s got that Manchester United DNA inside of him. He knows the ins and outs of the club.”<\/p>\n Lingard remains in close contact with United captain Bruno Fernandes.<\/p>\n “He always wanted to see the best of me at United,” says Lingard. “He’s always been a guy that’s been there, that I can always reach out to.”<\/p>\n Fernandes, 31, has provided 18 assists in the Premier League season – two short of the record with five matches remaining.<\/p>\n