Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has joined Championship side Derby County on loan for the remainder of the season having recently penned a new deal.
The 22-year-old has only managed a single appearance for the senior team, but has recently recovered well from a serious knee injury sustained on his competitive debut for the first team – in the opening match of the 2014/15 campaign at home to Swansea.
Due to compete with the Under-21’s at home to Fulham on transfer deadline day, the Englishman pulled out of the squad to complete his late transfer to the second-tier outfit.
He will now see out the season plying his trade with the Rams, who lie second in the Championship on equal terms with leaguer leaders Bournemouth.
Derby County manager, and former United assistant, Steve McClaren commented on his signing of the Academy graduate, saying:
“Jesse is an exciting talent and someone that we are looking forward to working with. He strengthens the attacking options that we can call upon and given we’ve lost Jordon Ibe and Johnny Russell in the last few weeks it was important to strengthen in that particular area of the side.”
The news follows the announcement that the attacking midfielder put pen-to-paper on a new three-year deal at the club, suggesting his future is at Old Trafford despite his lack of appearances this season.
Jesse Lingard has previously featured on loan spells with Leicester, Birmingham and most recently Brighton.