Ray Parlour believes Jesse Lingard ‘must really regret’ deciding against staying at West Ham as the Premier League’s forgotten man struggles for opportunities at Manchester United, speaking to talkSPORT (4 May, 9.20am).
There was a real ‘last day of term’ vibe as Ralf Rangnick’s oh-so inconsistent side finally turned on the style against a sandy-toed, scuba-donning Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday night.
But while Rangnick made sure to hand Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Phil Jones the chance to wave farewell after so many years of loyal service, this was hardly the way Lingard envisaged saying goodbye to his boyhood club after 20 years in United red.
The England international didn’t even get off the bench against Brentford. Quite the contrast to 12 months ago, when Lingard was playing the best football of his career on loan at West Ham.
Jesse Lingard leaving Manchester United
“He must really regret that he didn’t stay at West Ham,” says Arsenal legend Parlour.
“Suddenly, he was back in the England squad and he thought; ‘Well, I’m gonna go back to Man United’. But he was never going to get a regular game.
“The performances at West Ham were unbelievable.”
Last September, Hammers boss David Moyes refuted suggestions that Lingard ‘turned down’ the chance to join the London giants on a permanent basis to the tune of £20 million (Express).
His return to Old Trafford, Moyes said, was down to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s desire to hand the long-serving academy graduate the opportunity to rebuild his Man United career.
And opportunity Lingard has squandered, even if minutes have been hard to come by.
- How Rangers’ XI could look in 22/23, including 5 new signings
- How West Ham’s XI could look in 22/23 with 4 new signings
“When he has had chances this season, he hasn’t looked like he’s been wanting to play for Manchester United,” former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor adds. “He hasn’t been on it.”
Lingard’s contract expires in July. According to The Sun, West Ham would jump at the chance to bring the 29-year-old back to East London, though Lingard is intrigued by the prospect of playing a major role in Newcastle’s petro-powered resurgence.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
