BEVERLY HILLS, January 29, (THEWILL) – Englishman Jesse Lingard, striker for Premier League side Manchester United has been loaned to West Ham for the rest of the season. The 28-year-old forward has ambitions to fight for a slot in Gareth Southgate’s Euro squad this summer but has found getting game time in the United squad this season hard to come by.
Interests in Lingard’s abilities meant he could pick from moving to Spurs, deciding for West Ham or going to West Bromwich Albion. The presence of former Manchester United manager David Moyes at West Ham made going with the Hammers an easy choice for the forward. The very real possibility of West Ham’s push for a Champions League spot this season could have been an added incentive.
Speaking to West Ham TV, Lingard explained how excited he was at joining the London club:
“It’s another new chapter in my life. Nothing is guaranteed but I’ve come here to work hard and help the team and bring my experience. That’s the main aim.
“There were lots of clubs involved but, for me personally, I felt this was the right move. I’ve obviously had a previous relationship with the manager as he was at Man United and I’ve played under him before, so he knows my qualities and what I can bring to the team.
“I know a couple of the players as well – I know Dec [Rice] very well from the England side – and I feel I can really settle in here quickly,” the new addition to the West Ham attack enthused.
Unfortunately, he will have to wait out his debut appearance for the time being as he was not signed in time to file out for his new side in Sunday afternoon’s Liverpool tie.
That notwithstanding, West Ham manager David Moyes, who worked with Lingard during his time at Old Trafford, shared Lingard’s enthusiasm: “I’ve seen him play as a young boy, when he was still a wide player on the right, and I’ve seen him play off the left. He’s played for England as a number 10, he’s played for England as a number eight, and I actually think if we needed him as a False 9, he could do that as well.
“We’re bringing in that versatility, I’ve wanted to try to get an energetic team at the moment and Jesse has been known for his work-rate and effort, so I think he’ll fit in nicely with what we’ve got.
“I hope he brings us a little bit of quality too, and a winning mentality from Manchester United.”
Earlier this week, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Manchester United manager, said in a press conference that Lingard’s future in the club was not threatened and the club will be waiting to receive him after the term of this loan.
However, with a deal extension with United lasting only until the end of next season, the expectation is that he will seek a permanent deal to another club before the end of that timeframe.
