Legends pinpoint two reasons why Man Utd must ‘shift’ resurgent midfielder
Former Manchester United stars Roy Keane and Gary Neville have urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sell Jesse Lingard for the sake of the club and player.
Lingard, 28, has been training with the Red Devils squad in the run-up to the new Premier League campaign. Surplus to requirements, he spent the second half of last season on loan with West Ham. And it proved to be an inspired switch, with the midfielder rediscovering his best form for the East End outfit.
The Warrington-born ace scored nine goals and assisted four as the Hammers finished sixth in the standings. It seemed the stars were aligning for the England man to move to the London Stadium on a permanent basis.
But United stood firm over the summer, making it clear that they see Lingard in their long-term plans. However, rumours have begun to surface that the north-west giants may be about to have a change of heart.
It has been said they are open to selling Lingard. Keane feels it would be the right thing to do as he is among a number of peripheral stars at the club.
“People talk about recruitment at your football club, for Ole – and it’s the same for a lot of clubs – it’s about shifting people on as well,” he said on Neville’s YouTube show The Overlap.
“Because United have a lot, the Jesse Lingard’s and people like that in the background, you’re going to have to shift them on, they’re not the answer.”
And the former Republic of Ireland star suggested others of the same ilk should also be jettisoned.
“I don’t think Jesse Lingard’s going to get Manchester United back challenging for titles. I think he done well at West Ham and maybe that type of club is a good fit for him.
“But if you’re asking me do I think Jesse Lingard will get Man United back winning league titles, then the answer is no and I’ll say the same for Fred and maybe (Scott) McTominay.”
Lingard needs regular action
Lingard has been no more than a squad player for United for the past two years. He made just nine top-flight starts in 2019-2020 and failed to complete 90 minutes on any occasion.
That is in stark contrast to his experience with the London Stadium outfit where he started 16 games. Neville agrees with his former team-mate but pushed Lingard to West Ham for the sake of the player’s own career.
“Jesse needs to leave for Jesse,” he said on The Overlap. “You know he got pride last year playing at West Ham.
“You know he’s the man there and come back here he’ll play 15 games, he’ll be a good squad player but he doesn’t want that again surely after what he experienced last season (with West Ham).
“Jesse needs to leave for Jesse Lingard.”
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