Manchester United should be aiming to keep Jesse Lingard this summer as a possible backup in case Bruno Fernandes burns out again.
A report from the Manchester Evening News claimed that United are still looking to offload Lingard before the transfer window closes.
The 28-year-old’s departure would certainly provide some profit to marginally subsidies the money spent on Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
West Ham United remain admirers of the attacking midfielder, after he helped them to European qualification last season whilst on loan.
However, as another gruelling, demanding, painstaking campaign falls upon us, it seems foolish that United are willing to surrender Lingard’s services.
For one, he is an excellent addition to the squad. He might not be a regular starter, but he proved at West Ham his quality has not dispersed.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are set to be fighting on four fronts this term.
One being mounting a title charge on Manchester City’s Premier League fortress.
Lingard adds extra life to Fernandes
Rotation will be necessary and Lingard provides a very good option in reserve.
There were clear signs of fatigue in United’s ranks last season, as Solskjaer struggled to keep his team fresh.
Most noticeably Fernandes, who looked zapped of energy in the Europa League final.
He struggled to make any kind of meaningful impact at the European Championships either, a pitfall of his persistence to play every game.
According to a study by the CIES Football Observatory, no participant at Euro 2020 had endured more minutes since May 16 2020 than the Portuguese midfielder.
No wonder he looked a little weary!
This is where Lingard can be useful.
Although he and Fernandes are generally different players, they both provide a creative spark in and around the box.
Not to mention their knack for scoring goals.
Fernandes will of course get the regular nod from Solskjaer, but turning to Lingard would not be the worst decision in the world.
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