Jesse Lingard has over 650,000 followers, but Instagram is the medium where the Manchester United forward has really found an audience, an audience of 3.2 million followers to be precise. Indeed, Lingard has embraced social media like no other Premier League player, often synchronising his much-maligned goal celebrations with whatever is relevant at any given time.
For instance, Lingard marked his winning goal against Chelsea at the weekend with a ‘Wakanda Forever’ gesture, referencing the cultural phenomenon that is the Marvel superhero film, Black Panther. He celebrated a goal against Middlesbrough last season by breaking into a jig which included the playing of imaginary panpipes. That was in reference to a track on the new Drake album which had been released that week.
And, of course, all of this is documented on Lingard’s social media feeds, where he is frequently targeted for abuse. Quite simply, Lingard has become one of the most hated players in the Premier League. He can count on the support of the Manchester United fanbase, who hail the player who has become a match-winner for their side this season, but for fans of other clubs, he is a target.
This seems somewhat unjustified given the nature and character Lingard. He’s not a pantomime villain in the mould of someone like Joey Barton or Diego Costa. His crime is… what exactly? Having a bit too much fun? For being a devoted user of social media, like pretty much every other 25-year-old? It’s not as if he’s the only footballer to have come up with a premeditated goal celebration, either.
So what’s the difference between Lingard’s silly celebrations and Peter Crouch’s? Why is the former targeted for having a little fun in a moment of euphoria on the football pitch, while the latter is revered and even heralded for it? Is it down to race? Is this the manifestation of a generation clash?
Paul Pogba also finds himself a target in a similar way. He too is very active on social media and is fond of an elaborate goal celebration. His own manager has even aimed a sly dig at the French midfielder, explaining why he has favoured Scott McTominay over Pogba in recent weeks. “Honestly I think Scott deserves more than what he’s getting,” Jose Mourinho said. “I think maybe because he’s this kind of kid profile: a normal haircut, no tattoos, no big cars, no big watches.”
In the Premier League, young footballers are young men, and so they shouldn’t be pilloried for acting like young men. No player should be abused on social media, particularly one whose offence seems to be having the time of his life.