Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Jesse Lingard is currently in his Manchester United plans.
It looked like Lingard’s career at Old Trafford was over, but his fantastic form of lending at West Ham made United think twice. He did not make a single Premier League appearance in the first half of last season, but signed for the Irons in January, where he scored nine goals in 16 games.
His fantastic turn led to Solskjaer giving him a chance in the pre-season, and he was a substitute in their victory over Derby. Speaking after the match, Solskjaer acknowledged that Lingard’s determination to fight for his place has won him over and challenged him to continue the form he showed at West Ham now that he is back at his parent club.
Look who’s back! ?? # MUFC @JesseLingard pic.twitter.com/lywg5e00Ih
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) 16 July 2021
“He came seven or eight days later than the rest but he is a naturally fit boy,” Solskjær said after the game. “He’s a man, he played with some boys but he’s one of the men!
“Jesse has come back, been bright, he wants to fight for his place and there is nothing better than seeing players want to fight for their place.
“What he did towards the end of last season, that’s the true Jesse, that’s what we know he can do. I think we saw towards the end of the season that we sometimes lacked any options, so Jesse is in the plans at the moment.”
Lingard last showed for United in an FA victory against Watford in January, and despite his impressive form at West Ham, they were expected to make money on him while his stock was high.
But despite various links to Irons, Arsenal, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid, no clubs have met United’s values yet, and it seems they are prepared to use him until that happens.
