Jesse Lingard has given a tell-all interview on Stephen Bartlett’s Diary Of A CEO podcast, discussing his struggles with depression, alcohol, falling out of favour at Manchester United and more.
Speaking on the popular podcast series earlier this week, the former United academy player opened up about how the final days at his boyhood club transpired, shedding light not only on his own personal struggles but decisions made in the background by higher-ups which only hampered things even further.
Lingard spent 22 years a the club and broke into the first team in the 2015/16 season under Louis van Gaal, scoring winning goals in both the FA Cup final and Community Shield and going on to become a trusted first-team regular under multiple managers.
However, the Warrington-born midfielder fell out of the squad in 2019 and only managed four starts in 22 appearances during his final season under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and interim coach Ralf Rangnick. As he explained to Bartlett, there was a lot more than just a lack of game time going on behind the scenes.
Jesse Lingard reveals the problem with Man U today and why he moved to Nottingham Forrest@JesseLingard is no stranger to extreme pressure, but what do you do when it all gets too much and you’ve got the eyes of the nation on you?
One of the first things he covered in the lengthy and extremely honest discussion was how things turned so sour at United that he started to use drinking and regular ‘nightcaps’ as a way to “try and take the pain away”.
Not only did he stop getting game-time at Old Trafford but despite looking like a rejuvenated and crucially happy figure while spending half a season out on loan at West Ham in 2021 — bagging nine goals and five assists in 19 games — he also had a transfer blocked by the club in January 2022.
As was reported at the time, despite United deciding to keep him as a squad player, newly bought Newcastle were also reportedly in for the 30-year-old following his resurgent spell in London but the board ultimately decided to block the move.
It was later reported that Jesse asked for days off which he denied publicly at the time and went on to reiterate to Bartlett that it was a fabrication by then-newly appointed football director, John Murtough, and made public by Rangnick. Always two sides to every story.
To make matters worse, it’s not like anyone could begrudge Lingard for requesting time off even if he did; on top of the horrific levels of abuse he was receiving from his own club’s fans, he was also struggling with numerous personal issues.
As well as his grandfather battling prostate cancer (a figure who has always played a key role in his life), he was also having to deal with his mother’s struggles with depression, which became so severe that she was admitted to hospital in 2019, leaving Jesse to look after younger siblings Jasper and Daisy-Boo.
“The depression was so bad she couldn’t really cope anymore and she needed to go away and get help,” he told Bartlett. “My little sister who was 11 at the time, and my little brother who was 15, for me, I was still going through my own things as well. So I wasn’t really the big brother they wanted at the time.”
He confessed, “I just wasn’t there mentally” and noted that he receive some support from Solskjær during the difficult period. Despite having wanted to get back out there and play football for so long, he said he suddenly “didn’t want to be on the pitch” anymore and needed a break from the spotlight.
Reminder for those of you that think it’s ok to abuse footballers just because they earn millions and you pay to watch them kick a ball around every week that footballers are human.
It’s deeply saddening to hear that the faithful United servant and England international was subjected to such poor treatment by fans from his own club while all this was going on. More importantly, it’s an important reminder that abuse of any kind, online or otherwise, is simply not on.
Now thankfully enjoying his football again at Nottingham Forest, Lingard later went on to try and explain the various issues surrounding his former club. Putting it quite simply, he said that they are “so far behind on everything”, whether it be the training facilities, the recruitment or even the social media.
Many have noted that these comments echo the complaints made by Cristiano Ronaldo in his no-holds-barred interview shortly before he was released from the club too, though admittedly, we’re sure most Reds would agree — it was more the way he went about it.
You can watch Jesse Lingard’s full interview on The Diary Of A CEO podcast down below:
Featured Image — Diary Of A CEO (via YouTube)/Jesse Lingard (via Instagram)
Sport
A young BMX star from Trafford finished on the podium in the 2025 World Championships
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester native placed on the podium at the 2025 BMX World Championships in yet another display of our region’s sporting excellence.
12-year-old Leo Rowlands from Timperley in Trafford was one of the several promising BMX riders representing Team GB at the World Championships in Copenhagen, which kicked off at the end of July.
Back in 2023, Geordie-born Kieran Reilly became the UK’s first champion at the UCI BMX Freestyle Worlds in Glasgow, and this year, London’s Beth Shriever claimed a trio of world titles.
Combine that with the incredible achievement of the talented young lad coming third overall in his own category, and it really was another brilliant performance from Great Britain.
Credit: Supplied
Penning a proud statement online, local outlet Altrincham Today wrote: “HUGE congratulations to Leo Rowlands, who has just claimed WORLD No. 3 at the BMX World Championships in Copenhagen.
“The Year 7 [aged 11-12] Altrincham College student, who’s been racing since age 6 and trains at Bruntwood Park BMX Club in Cheadle, came through a field of over 140 of the world’s best riders to reach the final and secure his spot on the podium.
“Already North Champion and UK National No. 2, Leo will be going for the British Championship title in Kent this month.”
Joining in sharing their pride and praise on social media, his home college in Alty, along with Rowlands’ fellow students, simply added: “Incredible performance, Leo!”
The comments underneath both posts are filled with other parents and fellow locals passing on their congrats. You love to see it.
Credit: Family Handout (supplied)
As for his regular cycling haunt, Bruntwood Park BMX Club also went on to add: “Yesterday, two riders reached the top of the sport for their age, and it is with great pride that they bring home the club’s first W plates from a World Championships.
“First up, Leo Rowlands, who put down a stunning lap in the Male 12s final, working his way back from dead last out of the gate to make a brilliant podium and take home W3.”
They went on to credit all of their rising talents, including another promising young and already multi-title-winning champion in Lexi Waite, who fought her way back from a slipped gate to finish in fifth.
Bruntwood signed off by adding: “What an incredible achievement from both of these outstanding riders, and we cannot wait to have these guys back with their W plates!”
There’s plenty of cycling history being made here in Greater Manchester, and we’ve no doubt there’s more to come.
Manchester Storm ban supporter and condemn discriminatory behaviour after online comments
Danny Jones
Ice hockey side Manchester Storm have come out to vocally condemn any and all forms of discrimination following recent concerns raised online and, more importantly, putting words into action after issuing a stadium ban to a match-going fan.
Writing a lengthy, passionate and defiant post on Wednesday, 6 August, Manchester Storm informed supporters that they had been made aware of multiple “derogatory and discriminatory comments” earlier this week.
The remarks in question were made across various social media platforms, as well as fan forums over the past few days, but thankfully were quickly identified and removed by admins.
Nevertheless, Storm recognised the importance of cracking down on this kind of behaviour as swiftly and firmly as possible, penning this pitch-perfect reply in terms of tone and practical action.
The official statement reads: “These comments are deeply concerning and go against everything our club stands for. Let us be absolutely clear: racism, homophobia, and any form of discriminatory or hateful behaviour will not be tolerated – online or at the [Planet Ice] Arena.
“We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive club that welcomes players, staff, and fans from all backgrounds. Anyone found engaging in racist, homophobic, or otherwise abusive behaviour will be banned and will not be permitted entry to The [Storm] Shelter.”
Storm also went on to detail that the individual in question regarding multiple related incidents has not only been issued with a ban, but that their season ticket has been revoked and will be denied all entry to their home ground in Altrincham.
They also assured that the matter has been reported to Greater Manchester Police, adding that the club “will continue to cooperate fully with their investigations” and”will not hesitate to pursue further legal action where necessary.
Proud to see such quick and decisive action from the local sporting organisation, which should help serve as a real deterrent for similar potential trouble in the future.
The response from the right-minded fans in the comments was great to see as well.
Regardless of the offensive remarks made on the forum, most Manchester Storm supporters welcome the statement fan ban. (Credit: IG)
One user on X wrote: “The storm is for everyone; we don’t need these people anywhere near the Storm Shelter. Thank you for acting so quickly.” Another on Instagram added, “Absolutely, hockey is for everyone, correct and firm stance/action. Well done, from a Belfast Giants fan.”
The club signed off by saying: “Manchester Storm remains committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all. Hate has no place in hockey – or anywhere else.
“We thank our community for standing with us in upholding these values.
Danny Jones -
20th January 2023 
