Tony Cascarino has admitted that he is ‘a little confused’ as to what is happening with rumoured Newcastle and West Ham target Jesse Lingard at Manchester United, as he told talkSPORT.
Last January, Lingard opted to leave Old Trafford for West Ham and he thrived during his short loan spell at the club.
The goalscoring midfielder went from being a forgotten man to breaking his way back into the England set-up – and was pretty unlucky to miss out on the squad that reached the final of Euro 2020.
But fast forward to today and once again he has lost his place in the England set-up, with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Conor Gallagher recently earning calls ahead of him.
A lack of game time at Manchester United hasn’t helped his cause, even though there were suggestions that he would play more this term.
Former Republic of Ireland striker Cascarino spoke about Lingard’s situation, as rumours now surface about him being available for £10 million.
“I am a little confused by this story,” said Cascarino. “I think you have to make a decision as a manager now and again.
“Does it benefit the player keeping him on? I am sure he would have given Jesse a few indications that he will play a lot of football this year, which he clearly hasn’t even though Man United have been playing poorly and he still hasn’t been given a chance.
“I think he has gone backwards for a guy that went on loan, he did brilliantly and he was probably excited about coming into this season. Now he finds himself in the same place from when he went on his first loan move.”
To the surprise of nobody, it seems as though West Ham want to re-sign the England international.
But they may also face competition from the big pockets of Newcastle United, who are going to try and lure him to St James’ Park in January.
If Lingard’s current situation at Man United doesn’t change by the time the winter transfer re-opens, then he will be daft to say on board.
He was riding a wave at the London Stadium, and in truth, if he does leave then that’s the direction he will probably head towards.
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