Carlton Cole has backed Jesse Lingard to leave Manchester United during the summer transfer window, while speaking on talkSPORT, as West Ham remain keen on a transfer.
The ex-Irons striker argued Lingard must leave Old Trafford to claim a place in England’s 2022 World Cup squad. But ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara suggested he should stay, as it means more to play for a big club.
Lingard has not represented Manchester United in the Premier League since the end of the 2019/20 season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also named the 28-year-old on the bench four times last term before sanctioning his West Ham loan.
Cole now feels Lingard needs to back himself and leave Manchester United, with West Ham a potential destination. But O’Hara believes the 29-cap maestro ought to stay put and back himself to win Solskjaer over.
O’Hara argued: “He’s gone to West Ham, done great things and shown Solskjaer he can still play at the top level. He believes in himself – which you can’t knock by the way – and shown he’s still good enough to play for United.
“But if I’m Lingard, I’d rather play 15 starts in the Premier League for Manchester United than 38 for West Ham.”
To which Cole replied: “Well you say that, big argument. But there’s a World Cup coming up and he needs to play games. He just missed out on the Euros squad. He can’t afford to just play 15 games right now, as he needs to show he’s the main man and what he can do.”
West Ham face tall task to give Lingard the platform Cole feels is needed
Lingard flourished from the off in claret and blue, with the Manchester United man scoring nine goals and five assists in 16 West Ham appearances. The Irons now want to keep him, but talkSPORT note they will not pay the Red Devils’ £40m asking price.
Reports by Eurosport also note West Ham are refusing to give up on signing Lingard from Manchester United. However, alternative offers are expected if he does leave Old Trafford. And the midfielder’s hopes of staying put may also be aided by Marcus Rashford’s surgery.
So, West Ham face a tall task to give Lingard the platform Cole believes the midfielder needs. But, that said, he returned to the cusp of the England squad after impressing Gareth Southgate while in east London. Which could help his 2022 World Cup aims if re-signed.
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