Whelan predicts West Ham pulling off ‘superstar’ signing amid Lingard update
Noel Whelan has predicted Jesse Lingard could be an “absolute superstar” at West Ham should he quit Manchester United.
However, the former Leeds man, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 28-year-old could still have a future at Old Trafford.
The Times reported last Thursday (August 19th) that Lingard will seek a move away if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not give him assurances over his game time.
The England international missed United’s Premier League victory against Leeds but returned in a nine-minute cameo away at Southampton on Sunday.
Whelan admitted while Lingard would be a “superstar” at West Ham, he cast doubts over whether a return would be best for his career.
“I think Lingard’s future needs to be resolved one way or another very soon,” Whelan told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“He needs to concentrate on his football, whether that’s at Man United or elsewhere – I think that’s what he would like.
“I’m not so sure he should leave. He’s got a great opportunity at Manchester United, in my opinion.
“He’s been on the bench, he’s being looked at by Ole.
“It just depends on whether he wants to start games, whether he wants to be the man.
“He can’t do that at United because they have too many top-quality players.
“But at West Ham, he could be an absolute superstar.
“For a player of his quality, he needs to play week in, week out. He showed that last season. He’s a special player. I can see it happening.”
Lingard shone in a half-season loan spell at the London Stadium last season, scoring nine and providing five assists in 16 games.
In other news, finance guru Kieran Maguire has made a “very tasty” claim about West Ham’s potential takeover.