Read the BBC article and watched some clips.
Abuse from fans and problems with mum's health led to depression and I can totally understand that. Everyone goes on about how much money he earned... honestly, I save a lot of money while I'm depressed. I don't do much at all. I have more money than I need at those times. I don't even look at the bank account, it takes care of itself. Money doesn't buy you happiness is a cliché, but one based on copious amounts of people who have valid experiences. Once you can manage your utility bills, afford shelter over your head, afford warmth, food and health... honestly, money after that is nice and it gives some short term highs (holidays, events, etc) but generally it doesn't make you instantly wonderful and happy at all. People saying things equal to "this guy earned a lot of money so he has no right to talk about being depressed" - that's honestly pure ignorance. Either you've never been depressed, in which case congratulations (I wasn't depressed until I was in my 30s and very financially comfortable - it can happen for any kind of reason)... or you have been depressed but not financially stable, in which case I can sympathise with you, but still think you're being ignorant about it. Ignorance isn't always intentional, I respect that, I'm sure I'm ignorant of a huge amount of things too, such as what it's like to be black in a white-dominant country, or white in a black-dominant country, or to be pregnant, or whatever. But a little empathy goes a long way.
Generally speaking, I back what he's said about the club, I agree with pretty much all his thoughts on it. At least Lingard is focusing more on "the club needs to do better" rather than "I deserve to start every game, I'm amazing". I agree that if you're asked if you want time off it shouldn't be published to the media. I agree that having a manager ask about your mum when she's having problems is a good thing to happen. I agree the club needs better facilities, and that he deserved five minutes having been at the club as long as he was (people are comparing him to Januzaj who was here for just 4 years of his life, while Lingard was here for 22 years, how is that even comparable).
The website and social media management? Maybe that's a bit far. I'm not bothered about the lack of games room, although I can appreciate that it would be nice if I were at that level but I wouldn't speak about it to the media. It's probably the only area I can critique him on this interview from what I've been reading about what he said.
I agree with many saying that people are showcasing hatred and disgusting views in this thread. Lingard danced on TikTok sometimes and had a silly nickname. I don't like to dance, personally, and I don't like attention on social media... but I have absolutely had a silly nickname (it's right there, you can read it, I got it when I was 12 and it stuck for life). If he likes dancing and showing off his life on the internet, that's up to him. So long as he puts in the effort on the pitch, I don't mind. From all accounts, all the players and most of the managers appreciated and liked the guy, I don't recall constant criticisms about him not working hard enough, or not turning up on time, or anything like that. People just see a dude dancing and not scoring goals and they think he should be spending literally every single second of his entire life trying to become the next Messi. Even Messi and Ronaldo took holidays, and I'm sure they both spend time doing things they enjoy outside of football. If Lingard likes to dance on TikTok or Instagram or whatever, so be it. I don't care. People getting livid at him for it just come across as jaded and bitter.
I don't think Lingard is one of the greatest players we've had at all, I think he was a solid bench player and at times he did justify starting. I don't have any issues with his tenure here. And the things he is saying about the club, are, quite frankly, things that (games room aside) should be said, as they encourage change.
Ronaldo's interview was a billion times worse than this, though. Lingard talked about his personal issues and failings and didn't seem to have any disagreement with the club's assessment of his position or status within the club, he wasn't insisting (that I have heard/seen/read) that he should have been played more often, that he was better than anyone else. He was simply saying he should have got 5 minutes to say bye to the club (I agree), that the facilities should have been better (I agree), that the club shouldn't publish to the media that he requested time off when the club asked him first (I agree), that depression is rough (I agree), that family problems are hard (I agree), and his personal experiences with each of the managers (which weren't terrible assessments, he had at least some positive things to say about LVG, Mourinho and Ole).
