English midfielder Jesse Lingard is set to return to Manchester United this summer after a terrific loan spell at West Ham United. While he is returning to Old Trafford a move away looks very imminent. The midfielder has mentioned that regular football has to be the main priority for him even in future.
Lingard who joined the Hammers in the January transfer window took the English Premier League by storm. The 28-year-old scored nine goals in 16 matches and helped West Ham surge forward with some good results. His solid resurgent performance for the Hammers helped him earn a call back to the England squad. He was selected in the initial probables for the Euros but was later omitted from the final squad.
A permanent move away from Old Trafford is likely for the midfielder as he makes it clear that he wants to feature regularly. The United academy graduate may return to the London Stadium again this time in a permanent transfer.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the pre-season, Lingard said, “Regular football is the most important thing for me. After going on loan and getting a good run in the team, you started to see the real me, with the goals and the assists.”
“I’ve never doubted my ability, I’ve always believed in myself. I spoke to the manager (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer) in pre-season and said, ‘I need game time’. He said, ‘we can discuss it December time’, and we spoke again and he agreed to let me go on loan.”
“I had various conversations with him during my time at West Ham. He was very supportive and it was a great loan for me,” he continued.
Lingard’s fiery form for the Hammers helped him get an England call-up. He was named among the probables but was not picked in the final squad for the Euros. While the snub was hard for him to take but he has taken it as a learning curve. He was seen donning English colours to support the Three Lions in their opener against Croatia.
Lingard said of being left out by Southgate: “It was emotional. You’re sad and you’re down, but you’ve got to respect the manager’s decision. Me and Gareth have a great relationship, and now it’s about supporting the boys.”
He added on watching England edge past Croatia and draw with Scotland in their opening Group D fixtures: “I love watching England – I’m a fan myself. I enjoyed going to the beer garden to watch the first game.
“Last year, November time, I think no one thought I’d get near the team. But I worked hard, did well on loan and England came knocking,” he concluded.
