Jesse Lingard reportedly wants to fight for his place at Manchester United despite immense success at West Ham United.
A recent report from The Sun has dropped a bombshell regarding Jesse Lingard. It appears the Manchester United playmaker is now keen to return to Old Trafford in the summer and fight for his place in the first-team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer next season.
Lingard spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan at West Ham United, in search of regular game-time. The Englishman enjoyed unprecedented success under David Moyes, leaving the London giants desperate to secure his services on a permanent deal.
Manchester United themselves were logically open to a sale, as the player’s contract expires at the end of next season. It essentially means that this summer will serve as the club’s last chance to cash in on Lingard before they open up the opportunity for other clubs to sign the playmaker for free.
Lingard, though, is now hoping to take advantage of the fact that Solskjaer has a thin squad at his disposal to try and fight for a place in the Manchester United first-team next season. The Red Devils do have a shallow creative department, despite the glowing presence of creator-in-chief Bruno Fernandes.
Last summer’s marquee signing Donny van de Beek endured a wasteful season at Old Trafford. It won’t be surprising to see him leave Manchester United in the summer amid shock links with Arsenal while Juan Mata’s contract at the club expires at the end of the month.
On the flip side, Manchester United are expected to bring in a new face in none other than Jadon Sancho. The Premier League giants have reportedly stepped up their pursuit by agreeing to match Borussia Dortmund’s £78 million demands for the Englishman.
Sancho is expected to add more fuel in Manchester United’s attacking unit, alongside the likes of Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford, in addition to the mercurial Fernandes.
It does not bode well for Lingard, however, as he might once again fall behind the pecking order despite the uncertain futures of Daniel James, Mata and van de Beek. It is also fair to point out that Amad Diallo is growing in confidence as well, adding more spice to Manchester United’s creative department.
A prolonged stay for Lingard at Old Trafford does not make sense for Manchester United either, as the Red Devils could use the money from his sale to supplement their pursuit of Sancho, who is set to cost a fortune.