Former Manchester United star, Jesse Lingard, has recently shed light on a strict rule implemented by club legend Wayne Rooney during their time together at the club. This revelation comes amidst claims that he and other former players have 'destroyed the culture' at Man Utd.
Lingard, now 32 years old, made his mark as a first-team regular during the 2015/16 campaign when he played alongside Rooney. He made an impressive 232 appearances for his boyhood club before leaving upon the expiry of his contract in 2022. The winger had a sensational loan spell at West Ham where he scored nine goals in just 16 Premier League appearances. However, despite this promising stint, Lingard did not make his move permanent and returned to being a bit-part player for Man Utd.
His subsequent year at Nottingham Forest was less successful and he found himself as a free agent for the first six months of this season. However, things took a turn when FC Seoul offered him a two-year deal which he accepted.
The '50-Game' rule
In response to suggestions that former players like him have negatively impacted Man Utd's culture, Lingard revealed an interesting insight into life in the dressing room under Rooney's influence. According to him, Rooney had implemented what is referred to as the '50-game' rule.
Jesse Lingard, Former Manchester United player, said:
“I don’t even really go on [social media] anymore but I did see that and just asked the guy to explain it. We actually got some nice responses from other people. I love Paul to bits. He’s one of my best friends. We speak every day.
“But I was thinking, ‘What was the culture, anyway?’. With us being in the first team, you know, it’s obviously knowing the right place, the right time to do things and stuff like that. But ruining culture? We only tried to make it stronger. We responded to success and we smiled and laughed and we were winning games. So that is good culture, yeah?
“Wayne Rooney told me: ‘Don’t buy your first car until you’ve played 50 games.’ Obviously 50 games came and I drove in a Range Rover, parked up and Rooney is like: ‘Whose is that? Have you played 50 games now?’. And that was me accepted. I have never tried to be flash. Of course, if you have nice things sometimes you wanna show them. But the photographers would follow me and take pictures of me in my car every time we drove in.”
This revelation paints an intriguing picture of discipline and order within one of football’s most successful clubs during its heyday under Sir Alex Ferguson’s management with leaders like Wayne Rooney setting standards off-field too.
Refuting claims of failure
In addition to revealing insights about dressing room dynamics under Rooney's leadership, Lingard also addressed personal criticisms directed towards him. Despite having a rollercoaster career, Lingard refuted suggestions that he is a "failure". Instead, he views his career as an "achievement", highlighting the resilience and determination that has marked his journey in professional football.
Jesse Lingard added:
“I 100 per cent do not feel failure, I feel achievement, You just gotta look at my story from seven years old, a kid from Warrington making it all the way through. The percentages of that are like 0.2 per cent or something. I got chosen.
“You have to work hard. Go to digs and leave your family at 12 years old and move schools and be in a different environment. And I was the smallest. I was tiny. Sometimes I had to play down a year. So I’ve been through the mill, from a football point of view.”
Jesse Lingard's revelations about Wayne Rooney's '50-game' rule and his personal reflections on his career provide fascinating insights into the world of professional football. They shed light on the discipline required off-field and the mental strength needed to navigate through highs and lows. Despite facing criticism, Lingard remains proud of his achievements - a testament to his character both as a player and an individual.
