Solskjaer reveals Man Utd star Lingard ‘is in his plans at the moment’

Lewis Oldham
Solskjaer F365
Jesse Lingard

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard “wants to fight for his place” and that he is in his plans “at the moment”.

Lingard was a regular for Man United for five seasons between 2015 and 2020. He played 40 times across all competitions in 2019/20.

But the arrival of Bruno Fernandes coincided with the Englishman dropping down the pecking order.


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The 28-year-old did not feature once for Man United in the Premier League last season up until January. This temped Solskjaer to let him join West Ham on loan until the end of the campaign.

Lingard returned to form for the Hammers as he grabbed nine goals and four assists from just 16 outings in the league.

The Englishman has since returned to the Red Devils for pre-season. They beat Wayne Rooney’s Derby County 2-1 in a friendly on Sunday.

Solskjaer offered an update regarding Lingard’s future after the game, which has been reported on by The Athletic. He stated that the midfielder is part of his plans “at the moment”:

“Jesse has come back, been bright, he wants to fight for his place and there’s nothing better than seeing players want to fight for their place.

“What he did towards the end of last season, that’s the true Jesse, that’s what we know he’s capable of and I think we saw towards the end that we lacked some options at times. Jesse is in the plans at the moment.”

Elsewhere, Kevin Campbell has called for West Ham to “cash in” on Declan Rice so they can “throw a lot of money” at someone like Lingard:

“I think West Ham will cash in, to be quite honest with you.

“There was occasions last season when he was not in the side and they were still productive and they were still winning football matches.

“If you cash in on Rice you can then throw a lot of money at say a Jesse Lingard, who was unbelievable for them last season. It is all about being smart about how you trade. You have got to move and shake a little bit.

“Rice going to Chelsea? I can see it happening. Man United will also be interested, that’s for sure.

“Rice is a top player and he proved that in the Euros. He was amazing in the final. I think the money could be put to good use if he was sold.”