West Ham coach Stuart Pearce has claimed that Jesse Lingard is ‘too good a player’ to be sitting on Manchester United’s bench, as he told talkSPORT (08/09/21 at 9:15 am).
The England legend shared that ‘in January’ the one-time West Ham loanee can ‘reassess his situation’ amid rumours that he has recently rejected a new contract at Old Trafford, according to BBC Sport.
After a number of years of stagnation, Lingard put himself back on the map last season, not in the colours of his boyhood club, but the Hammers from East London.
Understandably so, West Ham wanted him back this summer, but Lingard stayed put.
But with these rumours of him rejecting a new deal, this is the blunt message Pearce sent to the goalscoring midfielder.
“Players are at liberty to do what they want with their contracts, with Bosman and freedom of contract,” said Pearce.
“He has missed the opportunity to leave Manchester United during this transfer window. He can reassess his situation in January and decide whether there is an opportunity to move.
“But listen, he holds the cards, Jesse. The most important thing for him is his football. He is playing the odd game for Man United and extremely well for England.
“Those performances for England might just help get him in the United side. I think he is too good a player to be sat on the outside and not playing. And he is at an age where he needs to be playing now.”
If Lingard does move then he has to return to the London Stadium because that’s where it all clicked.
But, at the end of the day, if he is being promised regular minutes at Old Trafford then he would be foolish to turn down the chance to do the business with Man United again.
Then there is the added bonus of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo returning, and as Lingard proved during one of his celebrations for England over the international break, he will be looking forward to teaming up against one of the greats.
Until then, David Moyes and Co. will have to start their European tour without Lingard, but it will be interesting to see what comes of the player during the winter transfer window.