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Lingard backs Carrick amid United resurgence
Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has thrown his support behind interim manager Michael Carrick, urging the club to appoint him permanently. Lingard, now playing for Corinthians in Brazil, praised Carrick's impact since taking charge in January.
From Old Trafford to Corinthians
Lingard, 33, joined Brazilian club Corinthians in March after a stint with FC Seoul in South Korea. The move marked his first venture into South American football, a decision that initially drew skepticism from local analysts. However, Lingard has quickly adapted, scoring his first goal in the Copa do Brasil last week.
Reflecting on his transition, Lingard told the BBC: "It's still high-level football. I think I can play at this level. For me, it was about the competition-how big the club is here, how big the league is."
His former United teammate Memphis Depay played a key role in convincing him to join Corinthians, helping him settle into his new environment.
Life in Brazil: Passion and pressure
Lingard described his debut at Rio's Maracanã stadium as "amazing," a stark contrast to his months without regular play. However, his arrival coincided with managerial upheaval, as Corinthians sacked coach Dorival Junior after an eight-match winless streak. Fernando Diniz, Brazil's former interim coach, has since taken over, guiding the team to two consecutive Libertadores victories.
The intensity of Corinthians' fanbase has also left an impression. "Fans going into the training ground... speaking to us. You see how passionate they are," Lingard said. "When you fall short, you're going to get the scrutiny."
Language and adaptation
Unlike his time in South Korea, where he had a translator, Lingard is navigating Brazil without one. "Some players speak a little English and help translate," he said. "But I want to pick up Portuguese. I feel like I could actually learn the language here." He has already mastered basic phrases, including greetings and ordering coffee.
United's progress under Carrick
Lingard remains closely connected to Manchester United, calling his 20-year tenure at the club an "amazing chapter." He left in June 2022 after his contract expired, later joining Nottingham Forest before his move to Korea.
United's recent turnaround under Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim in January, has caught his attention. "They're really on the right track with Michael," Lingard said. "I know him from my United days. He's got that Manchester United DNA inside him."
He also praised captain Bruno Fernandes, who has provided 18 Premier League assists this season. "His performances have been extraordinary. He has to be up there [for the Ballon d'Or]," Lingard said.
Looking ahead: Copa América and beyond
Lingard named Neymar and Ronaldinho as his favorite Brazilian players and admitted he occasionally speaks to Neymar. When asked about facing him in a potential match against Santos, Lingard laughed: "It's always good to play against world-class players. You can test yourself against some of these guys."
Ahead of this summer's Copa América in the U.S., Lingard tipped Brazil, England, and France as strong contenders. "I believe in the [England] lads. I know how good they are, so I don't see why not," he said.
