Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has addressed his notorious social media activity and explained how family problems have affected his form on the field.
The 26-year old found himself out of the England squad and Man United team after a series of poor performances. This came after a summer that saw him widely criticised for a Snapchat video recorded while he was on holiday with friends.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Lingard revealed he thought his career with the club was over after manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer disciplined him and that the footage was published by accident.
"It genuinely was a mistake to post it," said Lingard. "I have a lot of young followers and I would never put that out there deliberately. It was an accident. I was meaning to send it privately to one of my friends. I was on a plane waiting to take off. Someone from the club texted me and said: 'Take the video down'."
When I realised what I had done, my heart just sank into my stomach. I was like, "I am done at United now. This is the final straw".
I was told the manager was going mad but I was in the air for two hours and literally couldn't do anything. When I got back I came in early to speak to the manager and apologise. He said I was on my last chance. He said I had to get my head down and that is what I have done. I am not stupid.
"There is no way I was going to let what I have at this club be taken away. On the whole I have cut down on my social media stuff now. You do what you have to do."
The Englishman admitted the job of caring for his younger brother and sister while their mother has been ill has taken its toll and it was only after talking about these issues with the Man United boss did he begin to rediscover his form.
On his interests away from football, Lingard defended his activity. Last year, Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville criticised him for starting his own clothing business the week before a Liverpool game.
"Generations are different," he said. "The older supporters are used to football, football, football.
"Maybe they just see the funny videos and make their own conclusions. But anyone who knows me knows I am down to earth and humble.
The launch was actually a week earlier. We played a Champions League game in midweek. Nobody mentioned it. Then we play Liverpool and suddenly it's talked about. I felt I was an easy target. Before the game my dad texted me the comments and said I should make sure I had a good game. I scored.
But stuff like those comments play on your mind and will always increase the pressure. I know it was the right time to do the launch, though. I am comfortable with that.
Lingard captained the side during their Europa League game in Astana and started in wins over Spurs and Manchester City. The Red Devils will hope to build on that when they take on Everton this Sunday.
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