Manchester United have been at the centre of player drama over the last few months, with some of the most popular players in the team coming to the ends of their contract.

One of the most talked-about players at Manchester United is arguably, Paul Pogba.

The Frenchman is currently sidelined with an injury that could see him out for a few months but has also been linked to a big move across Europe to Real Madrid, as the Spanish side eye up the midfielder on a free next Summer.

With momentum building on Pogba's departure from the club, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now has a decision to make that could save him millions of pounds in transfers and also potentially save his job, by keeping hold of £80k-per-week beast, Jesse Lingard, in his midfield set up.

Lingard has been widely tipped to make his way out of the Manchester club in January, with the club reportedly only wanting £10m for the popular England international, but would it be wiser for the boss to utilise him in the team if Pogba does decide to move on to Real Madrid?

The man dubbed "exceptional" by David Moyes made an amazing impression when he went on loan to West Ham in January, in just 16 appearances for the Hammers, Lingard pocketed nine goals and five assists. Solskjaer was keen for the attacking midfielder to return to the Red Devils in the summer after the furore of media attention and transfer rumours.

Solksjaer heaped praise on Lingard at the beginning of the season, confirming his place in the squad, he said;

"Don’t forget Jesse Lingard who has re-invented himself and has come back the man that we know he is with the quality,"

"He is going to play a big part as well."

Despite the Red Devils manager suggesting that Lingard would be a 'big part' of Manchester United's season, he has only played five games in the Premier League so far. However, he has made the most of his minutes by making an impact in an effort to get more regular football, with two goals and an assist to his name in just eight games in all competitions so far this season.

The midfielder has 35 goals and 21 assists in 218 appearances in his senior career for the Manchester club, and will be hoping to play a part in the set-up in Pogba's absence, but will have to compete with Donny Van De Beek for the place.

If Solskjaer plays his hand right in shifting to a midfield with Lingard included it could save the Norwegian his job as head coach, and put Manchester United in a much healthier position in the Premier League as they attempt to chase down Arsenal and Liverpool for that top-four finish. It might also dissuade the club's owners from investing new cash in a potential Pogba replacement.

In other news: Glazers looking at two potential Solskjaer successors