Pundit suggests Lingard ‘desperate’ to quit Man United after late update on West Ham hunt
Alan Hutton has claimed West Ham target Jesse Lingard would have been “desperate” to secure a move away from Manchester United.
The former Scotland international, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, said Lingard’s situation was a “shame”.
The Telegraph reported (August 31st) that the Hammers baulked at United’s £30million asking price for the midfielder, who has just one year left on his contract.
West Ham instead secured the signing of midfielder Nikola Vlasic from CSKA Moscow on deadline day, after ending their interest in Lingard.
Football Insider revealed earlier this month that West Ham were confident of capturing the United man.
Hutton raved about Lingard’s form last term but conceded that his opportunities will be limited at Old Trafford after United’s summer business.
“He had to go and resurrect his career at West Ham last season,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“Lingard was unbelievable, he nearly made the England squad for the Euros. That just tells you how well he’d been working and playing.
“You would have thought that he would want that weekly now, he’d want to experience that.
“He’s had that taste of being back in the limelight and playing at a level where we all knew Lingard should be.
“He obviously wanted to come back to his club, United, and ply his trade there.
“But with the money they’ve spent on players like Sancho, and with Rashford and Fernandes at the club – where is he going to get the game time?
“I’d have thought after last season he’d have been desperate to get out of there for regular first-team football. It’s unbelievable he’s not back at West Ham, really.
“It’s a shame because we saw last year how good a player he can be.”
Lingard has been limited to just four competitive minutes for United so far this season.
In other news, Paddy Kenny has slammed this behind-the-scenes figure at West Ham.