Making history and facing Neymar - Lingard on life in Brazil

It is no surprise Lingard is following developments at Manchester United closely, and he reflects on an "amazing chapter" at his boyhood club. Lingard spent 20 years at United, leaving in June 2022 when his contract expired. He joined Nottingham Forest the following month. "We achieved amazing things," he says. "But there's going to be a point in time where you move on. For me, it was Korea." Lingard knows "everyone was a bit shocked" when he moved there, but says he needed to do so to focus on football and "clear my mind". Like Corinthians, United have had a turbulent season, but are on course to return to the Champions League following an upturn in form since Michael Carrick succeeded Ruben Amorim as manager in January. Lingard says United have come on "leaps and bounds" under his former team-mate and is certain Carrick should be given the job permanently. "It can be difficult with different managers coming in, having different ideas, different personnel," he says. "But I think they're really on the right track with Michael. I know him from my United days. I know how he operates. The lads are doing really well under him. "He's got that Manchester United DNA inside of him. He knows the ins and outs of the club." Lingard remains in close contact with United captain Bruno Fernandes. "He always wanted to see the best of me at United," says Lingard. …