04 Sep 2021 12:56:08
So Lingard told David Sullivan he had no interest in returning to West Ham. After a promising spell, he seemed to find his level. Now he's happy to pick a game or two up this season and maybe sit on the bench. Is that really the mentality you want from player in the squad?

In a squad that's already bloated and to bring in a midfielder someone had to leave, very disappointed that someone with the ambition to sit on the bench was allowed to stay. He would still rather be the clown in the United dressing room than be an integral part of a good team playing in Europe this year. Says it all about the man.

{Ed077's Note - or maybe he thinks he has given himself a chance to get another shot at being a regular player at his boyhood club and knows that he can leave on a free next season should things not become better for him?}

1.) 04 Sep 2021
04 Sep 2021 13:35:31
I think he could post 20 games as brunos back up / rotate option.
Its probably the best he can hope for.
If he signs a new contract then mumbles i'd agree he has settled for the easy life.

2.) 04 Sep 2021
04 Sep 2021 13:54:38
I posted about lingard recently and I’m happy for him to stay if he is. I mentioned him being united through and through, plus he’s a local lad who has come all the way through the academy and although I do think this counts for something (as long as your good enough) I don’t think he should be in the squad solely for that reason. The main reason for me is that he’s actually a decent player, obviously he shouldn’t be a starter for most games but he does offer something as a squad player, he’s scored some important goals when called upon and as long as he’s happy with that role I don’t see the need to move him on just yet. Every squad needs players like this, he’s content to stay and has all his family ties etc here in the northwest. I do get that we need space in the squad but feel there are others who should go before Jesse. 👍🏻.

3.) 04 Sep 2021
04 Sep 2021 14:32:48
West Ham had a great season last season, but was that just a flash in the pan or is it something they can sustain?

Next summer Jesse will have a choice of several clubs, probably a few that are a better long term bet than West Ham.

Leicester have shown an interest, while Spurs will also likely be keen, Everton also had Jesse on a list of options to replace James Rodriguez.

His decision will also likely be heavily based on his family, and what is best for them. Would it be in their best interest to unsettle them from the North and move down to London? The off field issues he has had to face have supposedly been a big factor in the drop off of his form. So I wouldn't be surprised if his family are a big factor in where he moves to next.

If the right offer for him both professionally and personally didn't present itself this summer then the only sensible option is to wait it out a year and see what options he has next summer.

4.) 04 Sep 2021
04 Sep 2021 14:45:15
That's all well and good Shappy, but spaces in our squad are limited. We needed to offload some players before we could get new bodies in. Jessie shouldn't be anywhere near this team.

5.) 04 Sep 2021
04 Sep 2021 15:11:02
Mumbles, then the club needed to be more realistic in their valuation of a player on a big wage, with one year left on his contact and who will likely only play a handful of games this season at most.

Maybe Jesse didn't want to go to West Ham, but if United had accepted their 15m bid then maybe other sides like Leicester might have matched it.

6.) 04 Sep 2021
04 Sep 2021 16:41:06
There is another consideration. United’s valuation of players goes through a 3rd party audit. They are inclined to keep the club assets at the valuation or sell for profit. They are a listed company and need to explain selling assets at losses.

Mumbles - I think the anger towards Lingard is coming from the fact that it looks like him staying made us not buy another midfielder. If United truly just wanted to get another midfielder at all costs, they would have. They could decide to pay off Lingard, not register him, sell him for a bigger loss, sell someone else quickly etc. most likely that decision would not have made sense for the club at various levels.

7.) 04 Sep 2021
04 Sep 2021 13:24:55
In all fairness Ed, he couldn't get into the team over the last 24 months, he's certainly not getting in after Greenwood has emerged, Sancho, Amad, Ronaldo. There are younger players who deserve a chance ahead of him.

He won't make 10 appearances this season. Would you really want a player who's sho2n he's not good enough in your squad because he wants to run down his contract?

{Ed077's Note - I think you are misunderstanding my theory somewhat. My point is maybe Lingard is willing to take a chance to have a one last go at staking a claim for a spot in the squad knowing full well that he can move on a free if things don't work out well for him. And I see some sense from Lingard's point of view. After all he is Manchester lad who grew up supporting Man Utd.

8.) 05 Sep 2021
04 Sep 2021 21:31:57
I agree with Ed 077 - he went off to kick start his career, played really well and its filled him with confidence -So confident he beleives he has something to offer United. Its taken everyone by surprise, I think he might get a 12 month extension on the back of a few decent performances this season.

9.) 05 Sep 2021
05 Sep 2021 12:42:14
He’ll get a two year extension just so the club don’t lose him for nothing next summer and then we’ll be limbered with him like we are with Jones.

10.) 05 Sep 2021
05 Sep 2021 10:27:55
Made the same point last week Ed77 - totally agree. You don’t leave a club like Utd easily. Why not give it one last shot as he was one of the leagues better players last season in that West Ham side.

11.) 05 Sep 2021
05 Sep 2021 20:11:09
Lingard was just the best player on the pitch for England, clearly showing that he is good enough to mix it with the big boys.

While some will say it was only Andorra, and to an extent that is true and not too much can be drawn from such limited opposition. The fact remains that all of his teammates tonight we're also playing the day opposition, and none of them played as well as Lingard.

A huge fuss is made of Saka, and fair enough he is a big talent. But tonight Lingard was better. Clearly showing that if needed and on form that Jesse is good enough to play for United. So why shouldn't he give it one last go this season, even against the odds to win a regular place at his boyhood club.

After all, who is the best person to step in and cover for Bruno? While who's to say that Sancho will hit the ground running on the right? Is the right-hand side the best place for Greenwood? If not then maybe there isn't as much competition for a starting place as we might have thought.

12.) 05 Sep 2021
05 Sep 2021 22:28:27
Lingard is a good player. Great squad option.

13.) 06 Sep 2021
06 Sep 2021 13:26:06
I would rather see Lingard on the pitch than Martial any day of the week.

14.) 06 Sep 2021
06 Sep 2021 20:54:51
I agree sim0.