Jesse Lingard spent 22 years at his childhood club Manchester United before departing last summer to join Nottingham Forest, a newcomer to the Premier League.
Lingard openly shared his struggle with alcoholism, depression, and anxiety as well as his departure from Manchester United.
The 30-year-old England international joined Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest after 22 years of service after his contract with United expired last summer.
He struggled in his final few seasons at Old Trafford and discussed the reasons why.
In order to “take away the pain,” Lingard has acknowledged that he would have a “nightcap” before bed. He has also talked about how his mother’s depression and online harassment from United supporters have affected him.
On The Diary Of A CEO podcast, he said, “I look back now and think, ‘what was I doing that for?’. But I needed something to try and take the pain away. I was trying to forget what was going on, but it makes it 10 times worse.”
“You’re getting that much abuse online, and I’m already depressed enough, and I’ve had to perform,” Lingard continued.
“I was still trying to be Jesse, like banter… banter jokes and all that but, of course it’s going to affect me. I’m already going through things you don’t know about… I felt like the world was on my shoulders.”
At United, Lingard progressed through the ranks to play in 232 senior matches.
During his time at Old Trafford, he won the FA Cup, EFL Cup, Europa League, Community Shield, and FA Youth Cup, but his later United career was marred by a lack of his finest play.
During his final three seasons at United, Lingard appeared in just 38 Premier League games.
He rediscovered his form when on loan at West Ham for six months, netting nine goals in 16 games, but he was unable to keep up that level of play when he returned to his original club.
Since his transfer, the playmaker has also had trouble making an impression at Forest.
In 14 Premier League outings this season, he has yet to score or give an assist.
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