Jesse Lingard admits drinking to ‘take pain away’ during last days at Man Utd

PHIL BLANCHE FROM IRISH EXAMINER

The England international made over 230 senior appearances for United and scored the winner in the 2016 FA Cup final, but said abuse from fans and his mother’s struggle with depression left him “trying to forget what was going on” at Old Trafford.

“I was drinking before bed, having a nightcap,” Lingard told The Diary Of A CEO podcast.

“I look back now and think, ‘what was I doing that for?’ But I needed something to try and take the pain away and put me at ease somehow.

“I was trying to forget what was going on. But it makes it 10 times worse.

“You’re getting that much abuse, and I’m already down enough, and I’ve got to perform. I’m already going through things you don’t know about… I felt like the world was on my shoulders.”