Jesse Lingard challenges Solskjaer as Manchester United transfer decision looms

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Jesse Lingard will be reluctantly pressured to leave Manchester United this month if he is overlooked in Sunday’s Premier League game at Southampton, a report says.

Lingard enjoyed a productive loan spell with West Ham in the second half of last season, scoring nine goals. It has been a target for the club ever since as they aim to build on their sixth place last season. In fact, first-team coach Stuart Pierce recently opened up about the “open secret” of their intention to bring Lingard back.

However, a lot of their chances depend entirely on his position at Manchester United. Lingard, a Warrington boy, has a lifelong affinity with the club and would be reluctant to leave.

However, the chances of him returning to the parent club remain in question.

The attacking midfielder scored one goal in three pre-season games. But he was absent from United’s season opener against Leeds after recently testing positive for Covid-19.

Although, Lingard is now back in training and pushing for work at St Mary’s this weekend. In fact, he reminded his talents of a goal in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Burnley on Tuesday.

Now, according to The Times, Lingard is ready to push to leave if he doesn’t provide assurances about his playing time.

And while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may seek to allay his concerns with words, his team’s choices will be key. In fact, the report notes that Lingard may ask to leave if he is overlooked against St Mary’s on Sunday.

Although that would present a huge dilemma for Solskjaer. The Red Devils started their season with the best possible start with a 5-1 victory over Leeds. The key to this success was the excellent performance of hat-trick champion Bruno Fernandez.

His presence at United means that Lingard’s chances will be few and far between.

And with only a year remaining on his £100,000-a-week deal, United know the best time to sell is now.

As it stands, United values ​​Lingard at £25m – a fee currently unprepared for the West Ham game.

But as the deadline approaches, and if he pushes Lingard to leave, it could leave United with little choice but to negotiate.

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Gary Neville lets Lingard know the score

The situation Lingard had in seeing Fernandez before him was a scenario touched upon by Gary Neville.

When asked if he would welcome Lingard back to Old Trafford, Neville’s response was rude.

“It depends on what basis,” Neville told Sky Sports. “If Jesse wants to play, which is what he wants to play, you can see, then he’s going to need to leave.

“Because he won’t play every week for the Manchester United team that is trying to get second or first in the league.

“But if he’s willing to get back out there and compete and be a player like that, he can. Daniel James has come in in the last few weeks and been out of the team again. Does he want to be the kind of player that goes in and out a little bit?”

“There is no doubt that he could play for Manchester United but he has to be in that role.”

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