The idea that Jesse Lingard still has a future at Manchester United after reviving his career while on loan at West Ham is nice, but a permanent exit is still in the best interests of all parties.
Lingard will be one of the biggest loan signings in Premier League history. He scored his sixth goal and recorded his fourth assist for West Ham on Monday night in a crucial 3-2 victory over Wolves, which was only his eighth appearance in clear and blue.
Lingard has assisted West Ham in Champions League clash Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
His impact has been like the last piece of the puzzle for West Ham, where he took an already improved side from being in the overall mix for a top seven finish and a low European place to being among the top four and in a strong battle to qualify. to the Champions League.
That victory over Wolves, who saw Lingard score in the opening and put up what turned out to be the decisive winner, drove West Ham back to fourth place ahead of Chelsea and Tottenham.
Lingard was even recalled by England last month and has an outside chance of making it to the Euro 2020 squad, which would have been unthinkable as recently as three months ago.
West Ham are understandably keen to make the deal permanent and United have been justified in their refusal to include a predetermined option to buy in the original loan deal as it opens up a wider market for Lingard without a fixed cap on the transfer fee.
“Simply Fantastic”?
You ???? to look at this.
Jesse Lingard runs from inside his own half to make a fantastic opener for West Ham!
The only goal of the season?
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– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 5, 2021
It has even been speculated that Lingard has played his way back into the frame in Manchester, which would be a fairy tale for the boys’ United fans who first joined the club’s academy rank at the age of seven. But that’s not the end of the story.
United still have no real need for Lingard and if he were to return, it could only be as a back-up or rotation player. He would provide squad depth to cover for a possible accumulation of injuries and at best be a relief starter in the early rounds of the EFL Cup and FA Cup.
So it was before his departure and United are not going to release Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba or Marcus Rashford for him, nor would they be prepared to block the development of younger players like Mason Greenwood, Amad Diallo or Shola Shoretire.
Lingard had not played in the Premier League at all in 2020/21 before joining West Ham, rarely even got on the bench and only came on the pitch in the domestic cups. United also want to sign another attacking player for next season who would only increase competition for places.
The competition for attack sites in Man Utd is very tough | PHIL NOBLE / Getty Images
The fact that he has done so well at West Ham is almost irrelevant in that sense as United aim much higher than Hammers. Lingard is obviously a decent Premier League player, but that still does not make him good enough to control a regular place at the elite level.
It is easy to forget that when Lingard was the best for United a few years ago and scored 13 goals in all competitions during the 2017/18 campaign, he was still not a regular starter. He was a rotating player even then and made punches here and there but only started 20 Premier League games.
At this stage of his career – he turns 29 in the middle of next season – it’s not fair for Lingard. He deserves more than a bit or edge role because he obviously has a lot to give for the right club at the right level, as evidenced by his West Ham incantation. He may never really want to leave his boys team, but playing regularly drums everything and he looks so much happier now.
United can not and will never be able to give him that, but someone else can.
Returning to Old Trafford would be a big step backwards for the player and would also represent a lost opportunity for the club as Lingard has given himself a beautiful transfer value.
United have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, as have all other clubs, and any extra money, plus the removal of a major contract from the salary cost, will go towards the much-needed continued investment in the ongoing squad building. It could add a straightforward cash transfer budget or, in the case of West Ham specifically, a partial exchange incentive for Declan Rice.
After 20 years, it’s time for Lingard to move on permanently, but everyone at Old Trafford and all United fans wish him the very best.
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