Jesse Lingard’s future is far from settled despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s apparent enthusiasm to keep the player at Old Trafford.
And it may well be – according to some Old Trafford sources – that the £73 million arrival of Jadon Sancho and the huge wages being paid the United’s big hitters, the money men may have the final decision on the 28 year old.
For regardless of the United manager’s enthusiasm for him, his words that he is in things “AT THE MOMENT” following his second half appearance against Derby County on Sunday, suggests that those things could change.
And despite some already believing that the player has decided he wants to stay at the club, he most certainly hasn’t signed any new deal at this stage.
As revealed here by our northern correspondent Terry Robbins, he has been given a couple of weeks to make up his mind where he wants to be and this is the last seven days before he needs to give that decision.
That he hasn’t done so already may be significant as the Irons continue to press for talks with United after forming a decent relationship with his representatives.
Meanwhile United’s money men – acutely aware of the financial situation following the pandemic – may well have a say in what happens next!
And as cleverly pointed out by Hammers News Solskjaer has a habit of talking up players and then selling them.
He did exactly the same thing with Alexis Sanchez – insisting he was part of his plans – and Chris Smalling too.
It could all just be a cunning plan and touch of mind games to help drive up Lingard’s price in any potential deal with the Hammers.
That said, I do find his behaviour somewhat disingenuous. If he does not want to re-join West Ham, he should say so clearly to quash speculation.
Lingardo is clearly waiting to see what other offers are on the table to get a better deal himself. I don’t blame him but West Ham should keep looking for better options assuming he won’t sign for us.
Well written Hugh, balanced and insightful, it’s a waiting game being played with tact and diplomacy on both sides at present.
Need to move on from Lingard now, yes he was a fantastic player for us but the truth is, this is what happens when a player performs well on loan they either a) end up being poached by a bigger club or b) return to the club they came from with a new lease of life, maybe this is a lesson for the dildo brothers stop bringing in loan signings, it’s pointless. Oh and another thing SIGN SOME PLAYERS!
He is Man Utd to his bones, no reason why he wouldn’t want to fight for his place, that’s good behaviour and we would be happy to have players do the same for us. If the club decide to sell him though then the decision is out of his hands and he will make a choice, we have Benrahma and Fornals and Lanzini that can slot in while we wait but am not expecting Utd to make an early decision or even that he chooses us, he might want a Champions League club. We should plan to be without him and make some other signings Areola would be great as he is a top class keeper, hopefully a striker and another cdm as well as a left back COYI!!!